Bus interim factual statement - Wilsons Valley Bus rollaway and collision

View the Interim Factual Statement

What happened

In the late afternoon of 5 September 2022, an Alleys Coaches, coach number TV5251, carrying 41 passengers (36 children/5 adults), was travelling east from Smiggin Holes snowfield on the Kosciuszko Road after a school skiing trip. The coach had previously dropped the school children at the Smiggin Holes location and was conducting the return trip toward Jindabyne through the alpine region of NSW. Two of the company’s coaches were travelling together with children from Gunnedah Primary School on board both coaches.

Shortly after departing Smiggin Holes, the first coach driver (and incident coach) noted the door had not secured correctly. He stopped the vehicle and secured the door. The coach then re-commenced the journey down Kosciuszko Road. On the descent the driver also reported having trouble getting the coach to change into gear correctly. At some point shortly afterwards, the driver advised the vehicle had ‘lost brakes’. During this time, the coach continued to have trouble holding in gear and began to gain speed.

While descending the mountain, the coach reached a speed of approximately 105km/hr and was forced to overtake a vehicle ahead. Due to the nature of Kosciuszko Road, the downhill momentum enabled the coach to coast up the next incline for approximately 800m. The coach eventually slowed to a brief stop where the driver attempted to apply the parking brake. The parking brake application had no effect, and the coach began to roll backward down the hill.

The driver attempted evasive manoeuvres by swerving the coach as it rolled backward down the road to try and slow its speed. This was ineffective and with the coach continued to gain speed. The driver made the decision to veer the coach off the road where it travelled down an embankment, struck a rock outcrop, and came to a rapid stop. The driver reported the uncontrolled downhill rollback was approximately 250m with an estimated speed of up to 60km/hr. Following the crash, the coach was quarantined by NSW Police and removed from the scene for investigation. Multiple children and adults were transferred to hospital for observation with some passengers sustaining minor injuries.

Investigation scope

The scope of the investigation includes, but is not limited to:

• Identify the contributing factors which led to the uncontrolled descent and ultimate collision of the coach.
• Examine the planned and preventative maintenance conducted including authorities held to conduct the maintenance on the coach prior to the incident.
• Examine the maintenance assurance processes conducted on the coach as part of the Bus Operator Accreditation Scheme (BOAS).
• Review onboard familiarisation and safety controls for drivers/operators when alpine trained drivers are engaged to support service delivery.
• Advise on any matters arising from the investigation that would enhance the safety of bus or coach operations.

The Chief Investigator has required the Investigator in Charge (IIC) to review:

• The causal factors and potential mechanical failures which contributed to the incident.
• The documentation and maintenance records specific to the transmission, braking and air systems of the coach.
• The confidence an organisation should have when selecting a BOAS accredited service.
• The familiarisation requirements a driver should expect to receive when engaged in driving an unfamiliar vehicle as an alpine trained driver. 

The IIC will consult with all Directly Involved Parties (DIPs) throughout the investigation.