INJURED CRUISE PASSENGERS AIRLIFTED HOME

Posted on 06/23/2016 | About Vanuatu

Police have charged a cruise tour bus driver in Vanuatu after a fatal crash in which three people and 10 Australian tourists were seriously injured. The bus was involved in a head-on collision with a local commuter bus.

The tour bus was carrying 12 passengers from the P&O ship Pacific Dawn. Two of the most seriously injured cruise passengers were airlifted to Brisbane for treatment.Cruise line spokesman, David Jones, said an 11-year-old boy was the worst injured, having suffered head injuries, and he remained in hospital along with his mother and a sibling."We hope to get more positive news today — the news yesterday was encouraging so let's hope that positive story continues," Jones said.Carnival Australia executive chairman Ann Sherry said the cruise line will not use the tour operator again until the accident investigation was completed."It's been a terrible incident, obviously, and we have done everything we can to support and ensure that families receive the care they need," Sherry said.The three people killed included the driver and two passengers on the local bus. The tour bus driver has been charged with one count of reckless driving causing death. He will be taken in custody upon his release from hospital.