[Peetwo]

OTSI decide to investigate Revesby Coach fire incident?? - 



Ten days after the incident, OTSI finally decide to investigate: 

Ref: https://www.otsi.nsw.gov.au/bus/investig...ire-tv287a

Incident overview

On 10 February 2023 at approximately 08501 Transdev coach2 number TV287A was operating as a chartered service carrying 38 primary school-aged children and 2 teachers from St George Christian School heading towards Revesby Pool on Uranus Road, Revesby.

During the transit the coach made a routine stop at traffic lights on the corner of River Road adjacent to a petrol station. On signal and departing from the traffic lights, the driver experienced a loss of power and observed smoke coming from the rear of the coach. The driver continued directly into Western Street where the coach stopped, and all passengers were safely evacuated.

During the evacuation smoke was visible inside the rear of the coach. The fire spread rapidly engulfing the vehicle. Fire and Rescue NSW attended the incident and extinguished the fire. The coach was destroyed. No passengers were injured during the incident. Nearby vehicles sustained damage from the heat and smoke generated by the incident.

Scope of the investigation

Based on findings from OTSI’s preliminary enquiries, the Chief Investigator determined that the incident warranted investigation in accordance with Section 46 of the Passenger Transport Act 1990 (NSW). The scope of the investigation includes, but is not limited to:

• Examination of the system for planned and preventative engine maintenance for the coach.
• Examination of fire detection and suppression systems currently in use on NSW buses and coaches.

The Chief Investigator has required the Investigator in Charge (IIC) to:

• Identify the factors, both primary and contributory, which led to the incident including:

• Effectiveness of planned and preventative engine maintenance on the coach, regulatory requirements, and oversight o Effectiveness of any controls that were in place to manage related risks 
  

• Review available fire detection and suppression systems currently in use on NSW buses and report on the effectiveness of such systems for a similar incident
• Advise on any matters arising from the investigation (such as additional controls or preventative actions) that would enhance the safety of bus operations.

The IIC will consult with all Directly Involved Parties (DIPs) throughout the investigation

Hmm...interesting fact is that the above IFS PDF version was created at 3:13 pm yesterday, more than 10 days after the incident occurred. Qs/ So how are the OTSI investigators going to conduct a forensic examination of the site? And how can the IIC now ensure there has been no contamination of the hard (bus wreckage) evidence, circumstantial/documentary and operator records etc..etc??

It should also be noted that although the OTSI Chief Investigator has finally decided to investigate, there is still three outstanding bus fire investigations, one of which dates back over a year, that are yet to be completed?? Doesn't give 'one' a great deal of faith that the Revesby Coach fire incident, which involved evacuating 39 school kids, will be completed anytime soon...  

MTF...P2