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A bus driver who tried to help a teenager who was allegedly robbed and beaten has been fired.
The driver was driving the 250 bus in the Brisbane suburb of Cleveland around 1 p.m. on February 18 when three teenagers boarded the vehicle, Redlands Community News reported.
The youths allegedly fled with the victim’s belongings, the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) said, and the teenager chased them.
But when the young man was allegedly attacked by the group, the driver intervened.
A bus driver who tried to help a teenager who was allegedly robbed and beaten has been fired (file photo)
“The driver intervened by verbally and physically separating the young people to prevent a further attack,” said a union spokesperson.
TWU Queensland organizing director Josh Millroy said the bus driver was later fired for his actions by Transdev, which operates bus transport in Brisbane.
“The driver bravely intervened in the (alleged) violent assault and protected his passenger, but was subsequently stood down and was subsequently dismissed for misconduct,” Mr Milroy said.
“This driver should be commended for standing up…and protecting his passengers, not punished for having the courage to act.”
Queensland Police said a 16-year-old boy was charged with attempted business theft and appeared in Cleveland Children’s Court on March 1.
A 15-year-old boy was warned. The police are still investigating.
“Safety is paramount on board all our services, which is why our drivers are professionally trained in all aspects of heavy vehicle transport, from driving to customer service to de-escalation training,” said a spokesperson for Transdev.