Queensland mum of five identified as school bus crash victim
A woman who died when a school bus carrying 16 children collided with a car in Queensland’s Maranoa Region has been identified as a mum of five.
Melissa Richardson, 30, died on Friday after the car she was a passenger in was involved in the crash on the Warrego Highway near Wallumbilla, east of Roma, about 3.20pm.
Queensland Ambulance Services said Ms Richardson, from Chinchilla, and the 37-year-old driver with her were “significantly entrapped”.
The driver of the car was taken to hospital in a critical condition, while the 16 children on board the bus were treated for injuries.
One of the children suffered multiple fractures and the bus driver was also hospitalised in a stable condition.
Friend Kerry Hobbs revealed a tragic detail on the GoFundMe page she had set up: Ms Richardson was on her way home to see her children when she was killed.
“Yesterday afternoon (Friday) was supposed to be when Melissa arrived home to her five beautiful children but unfortunately her young life was cut way too short,” the page reads.
“A school bus had collided with the car she was travelling in and she was killed.
“Her beautiful young children now have no mother.”
#FinalUpdate from #Wallumbilla bus crash. 1 serious child with multiple fractures. 16 stable children with injuries ranging from cuts, abrasions, lacerations, fractures. 1 stable adult with minor injuries. 2 critical patients from vehicle. 19 patients taken to Roma Hospital. pic.twitter.com/y6AVAvlukW
— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) May 14, 2021
Ms Hobbs called the mum's death an "absolute tragedy".
Warrego MP Ann Leahy offered her "deepest sympathy" to Ms Richardson's family in a statement on Facebook.
"This is a difficult time for the children, their families, and the school bus driver, who all have our friendship and support," she wrote.
"Condolences are also extended to the family and friends of the truck driver involved in a second fatality involving two trucks north of Roma."
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