Qld: Backpacker crash victim a Childers fire survivor

AAP General News (Australia)
08-15-2000
Qld: Backpacker crash victim a Childers fire survivor

BRISBANE, Aug 15 AAP - A backpacker who was a survivor of the Childers hostel fire
had another narrow escape when she was involved in yesterday's horrific Queensland bus
crash that killed two people.

The English girl was with other backpackers returning to Wilmington House at Ayr, in
north Queensland, when the mini-bus slammed into a four-wheel drive on the Bruce Highway.

Shelly Griffin, an ex-manager of Wilmington House, who was called in today to help
out, said that the girl had been brought home and was being comforted.

"She's fine. She's had counselling and she's with a counsellor at this moment," Ms
Griffin told AAP.

A British man and a Japanese male were killed instantly in the crash.

Those injured, which included the driver of the mini-bus - a manager of Wilmington
House - were taken to hospital by rescue helicopter and ambulance.

Five of them remain in the hospital in Townsville with injuries ranging from an amputated
leg, pelvic fractures to broken legs.

Ms Giffin said that the current managers had only taken over the business in the past week.

The crash occurred less than two months after 15 backpackers perished in a hostel fire
in the small farm-based town of Childers.

AAP dn/sc mg

KEYWORD: TOLL QLD VICTIM LEAD

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