Gold Coast Schoolgirl Abandoned by Bus Driver During Severe Flooding Incident
A distressing incident unfolded on the Gold Coast last Friday when a bus driver abandoned a 10-year-old girl, ordering her out kilometers from her home after encountering a flooded road. The year five student from Tallebudgera State School was left on the side of the road in pouring rain, raising serious questions about child safety protocols.
Voice Notes Reveal Girl's Fear and Desperation
In a series of heart-wrenching voice notes sent to her family, the young girl expressed her terror and confusion. "Mum I hope this is working. The bus driver dropped me off at the end of the road because we have this substitute," she said. "And he just dropped me off there and said you can walk home, I’m really scared. I’m really cold and I’m shivering under a tree for 10 minutes." Tragically, none of these messages went through as her iPad was not connected to WiFi, leaving her pleading, "Please, answer... please."
Severe Weather Conditions and Safety Lapses
The Gold Coast was battered by approximately 200mm of rain last Friday, with Tallebudgera among the hardest-hit suburbs. Typically, the girl is dropped off at her front door, but on this day, the bus driver claimed he could not proceed due to flooding. Instead, he diverted and left her in an unfamiliar area, a two-kilometer walk from home, exposing her to the elements and potential dangers.
Family's Relief and Calls for Accountability
Her grandmother expressed immense relief that the girl made it home safely, stating, "What I feel grateful for was that wasn’t the last three messages we ever had from her." She emphasized that the focus should be on improving safety, saying, "This is not about placing blame, this is about making it a safer place for our children to get home."
Operator Response and Policy Implications
Bus operator Kinetic, which runs 56 routes on the Gold Coast and is Australia's largest operator, acknowledged that clear protocols were in place but were not followed in this instance. This incident highlights the importance of Queensland's "no child left behind policy" from the Morcombe Foundation, designed to prevent such situations. Kinetic has faced scrutiny over its adherence to safety measures, prompting calls for stricter enforcement and training to ensure children are never left vulnerable again.
