Incident Overview
Police have issued a $690 traffic infringement notice to a 66-year-old Durack man following a dramatic collision in Brisbane’s south on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. The incident, which officials have labeled the “escape of the century,” occurred at the intersection of Beaudesert and Granard Roads in Rocklea at approximately 6:30 p.m.
According to police allegations, the man was driving a black SsangYong and attempted to merge from a centre lane to turn off near the intersection. A blue Toyota Yaris, traveling in the outer lane, was forced to swerve around the SsangYong. The maneuver caused the Yaris driver to lose control of the vehicle, which subsequently became airborne and collided with the side of a Brisbane City Council bus.
Severity of the Impact
The force of the impact was significant, lodging the hatchback into the side of the bus. Witnesses described a sound akin to an explosion. Evan Boulton, who was in a nearby vehicle, told 7NEWS, “All of a sudden it was just bang, like an explosion… That could have been me if that bus wasn’t there.”
The vehicle’s undercarriage reportedly came to rest across both sides of the bus’s aisle. Despite the visual severity of the crash, authorities confirmed that no one sustained serious injuries. The driver of the Toyota Yaris, a 45-year-old woman from Pallara, was transported to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a stable condition, treated primarily for shock and chest pain. The 66-year-old bus driver from Sunnybank Hills was unharmed.
Institutional Response
A Brisbane City Council spokeswoman confirmed the bus was returning to its depot and had no passengers on board at the time of the collision. Retired police superintendent Peter Flanders described the outcome as miraculous, noting that the sheer force of the impact into the side of a public transport vehicle could easily have resulted in fatalities.
Queensland Police concluded their investigation by citing the SsangYong driver for driving without due care and attention. In addition to the $690 fine, the driver has been docked three demerit points. Authorities have emphasized that the investigation is closed following the issuance of the infringement notice.