An unnamed taxi driver helped trapped passengers to escape the bus that was set alight in a horrific incident in Brisbane on Friday morning.
A young bus driver was doused in a flammable liquid and set on fire just after the peak-hour rush in Brisbane. The 29-year-old driver has died and a 48-year-old man is in custody over the attack at Moorooka.
A witness at the crime scene took this video of fire crews extinguishing the bus fire in Moorooka. @ABCNewsBrisbane pic.twitter.com/tkNF0V1pCA — Casey Briggs (@CaseyBriggs) October 28, 2016
Police say it appears to be a random attack and there's no suggestion it is terror-related. A murder investigation has been launched.
Superintendent Jim Keogh said six people were on the bus and three were waiting to board it when it pulled up at a bus stop on Beaudesert Road about 9am on Friday.
It's alleged one of the three who got on the bus tipped flammable liquid on the driver and then set him alight.
"He stood little chance," Supt Keogh said. "Words escape me. It's a horrific incident here in the quiet suburb of Moorooka.
"A bus driver going about his business and helping the community has had his life taken in what is a senseless and needless act."
He said the incident could have been far worse.
"The other passengers were lucky to get off, even more lucky the whole bus didn't engulf in flames," he said.
The man was located at the scene. His mental state will be a key part of the investigation, police said.
Supt Keogh said a man had risked his own life to kick out a door of the bus, giving passengers an escape route. This was an unnamed taxi driver.
"Heroic at the least, (he) certainly jeopardised his own life for the safety of those still on the bus."
A taxi driver told the ABC he was walking past when the fire started, and kicked in the back door of the bus to help free the passengers."Unfortunately, I couldn't go inside because of the smoke, you couldn't even think of going in. The fire was just getting higher and higher," the unnamed man said.
UPDATE:
The taxi driver has been identified as Aguek Nyok, who kicked out the back door of the bus as it stood burning at the bus stop, is being hailed a hero for saving passengers, including children and their terrified mothers.
