Aussie receives '$16 meal voucher' after horrific bus crash abroad
- Replies 16
Travel is an undeniably thrilling and captivating experience that often leaves us with cherished memories etched in our hearts. It takes us on exhilarating escapades, allowing us to explore different countries and create unforgettable moments.
Yet, amidst the excitement, there are rare occasions when these adventures take an unexpected turn, transforming into terrifying ordeals.
Such is the story of an Australian woman and her partner, whose journey turned into a nightmarish experience they will forever remember.
Sinead Curry, a survivor of a fatal bus crash in Italy, recounts a harrowing tale of negligence and despair. She claims that the company responsible for the bus did nothing to aid the injured passengers, offering them a mere meal voucher as a token of apology for the 'inconvenience' they had endured.
So, what unfolded on that fateful day? Sinead and her partner embarked on a FlixBus in Bologna, Italy, one sunny Sunday morning. Unfortunately, just two hours into their journey, the unexpected occurred as the vehicle abruptly veered off the road.
'The bus hit something, we were all asleep, it went airborne and spun around a bunch of times,' Sinead recalled, recounting the terrifying incident from her hospital bed in Italy.
According to her, the passengers were helplessly tossed around inside the bus, akin to being caught in a turbulent blender, until finally, the bus came to a halt on the opposite side of the road.
The terrifying ordeal occurred near the town of Avellino, approximately 50 kilometres east of Naples. According to the Vigili del Fuoco—the local fire and rescue department—five cars were also caught up in the incident.
Of the 38 passengers on board the bus (including three Australians), 14 were injured, and tragically, one man lost his life.
Injured and in desperate need of support, Ms Curry attempted to contact FlixBus multiple times, only to have the calls 'ring out'. With her luggage still on the bus and a desire to find information about compensation, Ms Curry turned to social media to express her frustration with the company's lack of guidance and assistance. The only response she received was a woefully inadequate $16 AUD (10 Euro) food voucher 'for the inconvenience' via text.
'There are a bunch of people here who nearly died, and we don't have any information. It's the only communication we got from them for 8.5 hours: one text,' Sinead said, hours after the crash.
'We want accommodation, clothing, and food,' she told the ABC. Ms Curry expressed that she and other passengers need 'adequate financial compensation for this near-fatal, permanently harmful traumatic event'.
FlixBus responded by stating a 'support line and email' had been provided to all passengers and their families following the incident. The company claimed that 'outbound calls were made to passengers who had registered their mobile numbers and emails were sent to passengers with instructions'.
FlixBus maintains that 'the safety of its passengers and drivers is of the highest priority'.
However, Ms Curry refutes these claims, stating that the only email she received was to inform her that the helpline number was 'suffering technical difficulties'.
In the aftermath of the tragic incident, Ms Curry and several others were eventually transported to Rome on an emergency shuttle bus, where she aims to continue her travels.
This story is a powerful reminder to always prioritise our safety and well-being when dealing with travel companies. As travellers, it is crucial for us to carefully plan our journeys, particularly when we are in search of that ideal, stress-free adventure. More importantly, you should always look into your rights as a customer.
We sincerely urge all members of the Seniors Discount Club to remain vigilant and exercise caution whether travelling abroad or domestically. If you have any tips or advice on staying safe while abroad, we would love for you to share them with us in the comments section! Safe travels!
Yet, amidst the excitement, there are rare occasions when these adventures take an unexpected turn, transforming into terrifying ordeals.
Such is the story of an Australian woman and her partner, whose journey turned into a nightmarish experience they will forever remember.
Sinead Curry, a survivor of a fatal bus crash in Italy, recounts a harrowing tale of negligence and despair. She claims that the company responsible for the bus did nothing to aid the injured passengers, offering them a mere meal voucher as a token of apology for the 'inconvenience' they had endured.
An Aussie tourist in Italy claims a bus company did little to support injured passengers in an accident. Credit: TikTok/sineadcurry.
So, what unfolded on that fateful day? Sinead and her partner embarked on a FlixBus in Bologna, Italy, one sunny Sunday morning. Unfortunately, just two hours into their journey, the unexpected occurred as the vehicle abruptly veered off the road.
'The bus hit something, we were all asleep, it went airborne and spun around a bunch of times,' Sinead recalled, recounting the terrifying incident from her hospital bed in Italy.
According to her, the passengers were helplessly tossed around inside the bus, akin to being caught in a turbulent blender, until finally, the bus came to a halt on the opposite side of the road.
The terrifying ordeal occurred near the town of Avellino, approximately 50 kilometres east of Naples. According to the Vigili del Fuoco—the local fire and rescue department—five cars were also caught up in the incident.
Of the 38 passengers on board the bus (including three Australians), 14 were injured, and tragically, one man lost his life.
Injured and in desperate need of support, Ms Curry attempted to contact FlixBus multiple times, only to have the calls 'ring out'. With her luggage still on the bus and a desire to find information about compensation, Ms Curry turned to social media to express her frustration with the company's lack of guidance and assistance. The only response she received was a woefully inadequate $16 AUD (10 Euro) food voucher 'for the inconvenience' via text.
'There are a bunch of people here who nearly died, and we don't have any information. It's the only communication we got from them for 8.5 hours: one text,' Sinead said, hours after the crash.
'We want accommodation, clothing, and food,' she told the ABC. Ms Curry expressed that she and other passengers need 'adequate financial compensation for this near-fatal, permanently harmful traumatic event'.
FlixBus responded by stating a 'support line and email' had been provided to all passengers and their families following the incident. The company claimed that 'outbound calls were made to passengers who had registered their mobile numbers and emails were sent to passengers with instructions'.
FlixBus maintains that 'the safety of its passengers and drivers is of the highest priority'.
However, Ms Curry refutes these claims, stating that the only email she received was to inform her that the helpline number was 'suffering technical difficulties'.
In the aftermath of the tragic incident, Ms Curry and several others were eventually transported to Rome on an emergency shuttle bus, where she aims to continue her travels.
This story is a powerful reminder to always prioritise our safety and well-being when dealing with travel companies. As travellers, it is crucial for us to carefully plan our journeys, particularly when we are in search of that ideal, stress-free adventure. More importantly, you should always look into your rights as a customer.
We sincerely urge all members of the Seniors Discount Club to remain vigilant and exercise caution whether travelling abroad or domestically. If you have any tips or advice on staying safe while abroad, we would love for you to share them with us in the comments section! Safe travels!
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