Greyhound bus crash: Family’s heartache as they seek answers over young German tourist’s death

The family of a young German tourist who died in a horrific bus crash in Australia is heartbroken and tries to find answers about her death, while trying to come to terms with the tragedy.

Aliya Tonga, 21, was in a Greyhound bus when it collided with a car pulling a caravan on the Bruce Highway near Gumlu, in Queensland’s Whitsundays region, on June 30.

Ms Tonga and two other women – Emma ‘Alli’ Sailor, 56, from Townsville and another German national in her 30s – died at the scene, while 27 others on board were injured.

The driver of the bus travelling north from Brisbane to Townsville with 33 passengers, and the elderly couple in the four-wheel drive vehicle, miraculously suffered minor injuries.

Mrs. Tonga’s body was transferred to Germany, where she was buried on July 18 in her hometown of Wesel.

Just days after the crash, her cousin flew to Australia on behalf of the family to find out more about the circumstances surrounding Ms Tonga’s death.

The family now hopes to speak to people who were involved in or witnessed the bus crash, who may be able to answer their questions and help bring closure to the case.

“I was in Australia seven years ago on a working holiday visa. Three and a half weeks ago I returned but for a different reason,” Ms Tonga’s cousin Dilan Gungor wrote on Facebook.

The crumpled remains of a caravan were left in front of the Greyhound bus after the crash (photo)

‘Her parents have endless questions…

“My question is, is there anyone here who was unharmed or knows any of the 33 passengers on the bus who might be able to answer a few questions?”

Haki Baba, Tonga’s uncle, also posted a message online calling on anyone with information to come forward.

“We can’t do much from Germany. I would like your help,” he wrote.

‘Get in touch.’

While detectives are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident, police say the bus is believed to have veered into the wrong lane.

The driver of the car is being hailed as a ‘hero’ for his quick actions on the road, which witnesses say saved other lives.

Earlier this month, American tourist Piezy Marie, who was on the bus, said she switched seats at the last minute, which likely saved her life.

“When the driver checked my ticket, he looked at me and said, ‘I remember you,’” said Ms. Marie.

Ms Tonga was farewelled earlier this month at a ceremony in Wesel, Germany (pictured)

She simply smiled and nodded, and the driver moved her from her assigned seat 1C – which was behind him – to seat 2A by the window in the second row across the aisle.

“The passengers in my original seat were seriously injured and ultimately died,” Marie said.

Mrs Marie said the impact on the caravan ‘felt like a cannon shot’, with glass flying.

“I heard loud screams and cries from passengers. It felt like the bus was moving up and down in slow motion until it landed beyond the tracks,” she said.

Mrs Marie said that from now on she would always remember that a person’s life can end in a split second and that she had to ‘live every second without hesitation’.

“I’m not very religious, but I think the Lord above is watching over me so I can continue to teach my children and tell my stories,” she said.

“I feel protected, blessed and grateful to him and my ancestors.”

The Bruce Highway is over 1,670 kilometres long and runs from Brisbane to Cairns. It is a major transport route for freight, local communities and other motorists.

For years, the road has been plagued by safety concerns, congestion, flooding and funding issues, and hundreds of lives have been lost.

It is the most dangerous road in Australia and is responsible for one in six road accidents across the country.