The heartbroken family of a young German tourist who died in a horrific bus crash in Australia are searching for answers about her death as they struggle to come to terms with the tragedy.
Aliya Tonga, 21, was travelling on a Greyhound bus when it collided with a car towing a caravan on the Bruce Highway at Gumlu in Queensland’s Whitsundays region on June 30.
Ms Tonga and two other women, Emma “Alli” Sailor, 56, from Townsville and another German national, aged in her 30s, died at the scene, while 27 other people on board were injured.
The driver of the northbound bus, travelling from Brisbane to Townsville with 33 passengers, and the elderly couple travelling in the 4×4 vehicle miraculously escaped with minor injuries.
Ms Tonga’s body was repatriated to Germany, where she was buried in her hometown of Wesel on 18 July.
Just days after the accident, his cousin flew to Australia on behalf of the family in an attempt to find out more about the circumstances surrounding Tonga’s death.
Now, the family hopes to speak with people who were involved in the bus crash or witnessed the accident, who will be able to answer their questions as they seek closure.
“I was in Australia seven years ago on a working holiday visa. Three and a half weeks ago I returned, but for a different reason,” Tongan cousin Dilan Gungor wrote on Facebook.
Aliya Tonga, 21 (pictured), died in a bus accident last month while travelling in Australia.
The crumpled remains of a camper van were embedded in the front of the Greyhound bus after the crash (pictured)
“Their parents have endless questions…”
‘My question is if there might be anyone here who was unharmed or who knows any of the 33 passengers on the bus and can answer some questions.’
Ms Tonga’s uncle, Haki Baba, also posted online, urging anyone who may have information to come forward.
“We can’t do much from Germany. I would like your help,” he wrote.
‘Please get in touch.’
While detectives are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, police said the bus allegedly veered into the wrong lane.
The driver of the car has been hailed as a “hero” for his quick actions on the road, which witnesses say saved other lives.
Earlier this month, American tourist Piezy Marie, who was travelling on the bus, revealed that she had a last-minute seat change, which likely saved her life.
“The driver, checking my ticket, looked at me and said, ‘I remember you,'” said Ms. Marie.
Ms Tonga was farewelled at a ceremony in Wesel, Germany (pictured) earlier this month.
She simply smiled and nodded and the driver moved her from her assigned seat 1C, which was behind him, to the window seat 2A in the second row across the aisle.
“The passengers who occupied my original seat were seriously injured and eventually died,” Marie said.
Ms Marie said the impact with the caravan “felt like a cannon shot”, with glass flying everywhere.
“I heard loud screams and cries from the passengers. It sounded like the bus was moving up and down in slow motion until it landed next to the train tracks,” he said.
Ms Marie said that from now on she will always remember that a person’s life can end in a fraction of a second and that she will “live every second without hesitation.”
“I’m not very religious, but I believe the gentleman upstairs is looking out for me so I can continue to teach my children and tell my stories,” she said.
‘I am protected, blessed and grateful to him and my ancestors.’
The Bruce Highway stretches over 1,670km from Brisbane to Cairns and is an important transport corridor for freight, local communities and other motorists.
For years, the highway has been plagued by safety, congestion, flooding and funding problems and has claimed hundreds of lives.
It is Australia’s most dangerous road and is responsible for one in six road accidents across the country.