Desert Storm bus rolls over in Lanno

[protecon]

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/sand-dune-bus-rollover-leaves-up-to-20-injured-20110724-1hv1s.html


Three Singaporean tourists have sustained serious spinal injuries after a four-wheel drive adventure bus rolled in sand dunes near Lancelin late this morning.
Two of the tourists have been airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital, and were expected to arrive at the hospital just after 2.30pm.
Sergeant Gerry Cassidy said the bus carrying 34 passengers rolled in the dunes behind the small coastal town late this morning, and there were a number of injuries among the group.

Surprised its taken this long for these guys to be involved in a serious accident. Pretty reckless operators, especially in regards to other dune users.

EDIT: Vid for those not familiar with the Storm bus;

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[mr_mike]

Seen the bus up there before your right in the comment about them not caring about othe people in the dunes, seen the bus coming flying up the access road before and straight up the main dune without even slowing down

[Joe]

What's the bet that those tourists were the only ones not wearing seatbelts?

[Scaf]

It has rolled before, mates of mine helped roll it back over.

The driver thinks he is in a landcruiser and does stupid things.

[mr_mike]

even in that short video above you can see him sliding it sideways along the dune face, for something so tall and top heavy its a pretty sketchy move. Even in my old hilux spacecab i felt uneasy when ever it went up a dune and wasnt straight on.

[eScoRt20]

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/250394_1872763542919_1356070417_31703599_7806728_n .jpg

off my facebook news feed.

[Joe]

Asian Bus is Angry

[shifted]

bus looks epic.

[Fozzy]

Im surprised that this guy hasn't actually killed several people.

Watching him drive is like a meet point of a ROE cruise.

[mr_mike]

the dune in the left of pic doesnt look all that big or steep looks like driver error and the bus has gone flop.

One of the mulisha wannabes on the news reckons the bus went up the dune then tried to reverse down and the dune gave way and over the bus went. doesnt look like it from the pic tho.

[eScoRt20]

the guy i stole the picture from's story

"he was reversing down the hill and decided to turn half way down and then rolled 27 people on board a lot of people hurt"

[evil1]

do they have roll bars?

[mr_mike]

doesnt look like it given the way the turret has shifted over

[crabman]

How can there be a total lack of ROPS for that thing. If it went totally upside down the only people not ending up in wheelchairs would be the asain kids shorter than the sides.

Always wanted to go on it but more amazed that the ghetto pinnicle tours bus's dont roll more often, they seem to take on bigger dunes than that guy whenever I have seen them out. Still keen for a ride when some more steel is on the inside haha

[thrtytwo]

that thing had no roll bars...wtf...

[Phyber]

Sitting in the shade of the already bent roof, on a deck chair, like a boss...

[Oversteer]

Mate was there riding bikes...hes got vid etc of aftermarth but from all accounts this was a small fuckup..in general the driver is more of a retard and it was only a matter of time before he crashed or ran someone over !

You can see from this pic his tracks....idiot just tried to turn a little too soon at the steepest part base of the dune !

http://members.iinet.net.au/~zrinski/lanobus.jpg

[protecon]

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/lancelin-dune-crash-operator-lacked-proper-accreditation-20110725-1hwx7.html


An adventure tour operator responsible for a four-wheel-drive crash that injured 20 tourists on the weekend was not professionally accredited to operate, the state's tourism council has confirmed.
Two Singaporean tourists are still in a critical condition after the tour bus rolled over in the Lancelin sand dunes on the weekend.
A Royal Perth Hospital spokeswoman said another four patients, who were rushed to the hospital by helicopter and ambulances, were stable after suffering spinal injuries when the 4wd vehicle tumbled in the dunes.

More pictures in article.

[Stealthed]

I don't know the guy, however when I was runing in my bike I seen him drive around a fair bit and he nearly took out my old man who was just stationary, seemed like he was driving like a nutter to amuse his tourists..

I thought in the design he would have had some sort of roll cage but it looks like it doesn't, also the fact I read he's not licenced is a concern.

[Denver]

Ah how exactly do you professionally accreditate someone to operate a machine that theres one of in the country?

You can't

The company has been going for many years, so im guessing its registered with what ever tourism body it needs to be, and this is from what i can tell the first major incident involving it, so for the media/tourism board to say that, its a bit stupid.

[ForgedV6]

Two people i work with are volunteer fire a rescue workers and they attended this on the weekend.

They said the only thing holding passengers in was a lap sash with a plastic 'backpack' style clip. Some passengers werent wearing them.

[Stealthed]

Even still, my comment was mostly in regards to his driving (Only based on viewing him that one day) but it was a touch... eratic, the old man thought it looked awesome however even he commented on saying that the way he was driving he would roll it!

heh, lap sash.. I thought he would have had seat belts, handles, roll cage etc even those braces that come over the top of you on rides/extreme boats would have been a good idea.

[Lump]

They said the only thing holding passengers in was a lap sash with a plastic 'backpack' style clip
absolutley pathetic

[South]

So if it did have 4 point harness' and it rolled, and the fuel cut was not engaged, the bus catches on fire, you have near on 30 people in there, of which one knows how to use the harness, a few escape and the others all burn to death... hypothetically of course.

Or you fit normal seat belts that you can unclip like a normal car that normal people can use and advise that they need to be worn, but someone people dont. A few people are injured, one reportedly is now paralysed and the owner is feeling like a tool, but in the grand scheme people are sort of OK.


Owner is an idiot for not having a roll cage. Accidents happen and atleast everyone is alive.

[KAL SPL]

I dont see how roll cage would have made a difference IN THIS CASE , granted I cant believe it doesnt have any.

If it did indeed have correct seat belts in this case then there probably would have not been ANY serious injuries , chances of falling on its side are massively higher than catching fire and everyone being stuck in there seats.

[newbie101]

If that thing had a roll cage, they would be required to give all passengers etc helmets etc, and that would probably make it uneconomical

bali-spec tourist gimmicks FTL

[KAL SPL]

Not if all the bars were padded , you're not required to wear a helmet in a car that has a padded roll cage.
Granted the cost for half dozen roll bars wouldnt be cheap but prob would have saved the dude alot of repair work now.

[crabman]

Why did he change from the old design bus?? I thought that had some form of internal caging...

The accreditation side is a tad bs. That news article makes out as though the thing would have to be road legal and licenced to gain accreditation, while back in the real world......

Basic ROPS and seatbelts with buckles with switches inside so that he could see a light on the dash that showed everyone is buckled up would have been a perfect system for it. Ahh well, wonder if he brings out a double decker next time lol

[mitchy]

So if it did have 4 point harness' and it rolled, and the fuel cut was not engaged, the bus catches on fire, you have near on 30 people in there, of which one knows how to use the harness, a few escape and the others all burn to death... hypothetically of course.

Or you fit normal seat belts that you can unclip like a normal car that normal people can use and advise that they need to be worn, but someone people dont. A few people are injured, one reportedly is now paralysed and the owner is feeling like a tool, but in the grand scheme people are sort of OK.


Owner is an idiot for not having a roll cage. Accidents happen and atleast everyone is alive.

hypothetically, that's stupid.
when you get on a plane, which has a different seat belt system, what do they show you? how to use it.

common sense would say they would also show you how to release the harness in the event of an emergency.

[KAL SPL]

The accreditation side is a tad bs. That news article makes out as though the thing would have to be road legal and licenced to gain accreditation, while back in the real world......



The irony is he has to drive it about 5km on the roads back to his premise , it 'should' be road registered but they turn a blind eye up there , until 1 day he runs over a kid on a bike then all of a sudden all hell would break loose !

[South]

hypothetically, that's stupid.
when you get on a plane, which has a different seat belt system, what do they show you? how to use it.

common sense would say they would also show you how to release the harness in the event of an emergency.

And how many people listen to that? You are constantly putting your seat belt on and off in a plane, it becomes second nature.

When you are upside down or on your side with a harness on and pinned to your chair with flames lapping at your head, your probably going to struggle for a few moments...


Either way accidents happens, if they do have basics seat belts, then your an idiot to not put them on. It's a freaking monster truck and your hammering through dunes.

All speculation anyway, we weren't there at the time.

[ForgedV6]

Just jumped on his website to have a look around. How long has the new bus been in use? The old bus is significantly lower and has a wider track. Have a look here;
http://www.desertstorm.com.au/photo-and-video-galleries/adventure-tour-photo-galleries

Sign form here;
http://www.desertstorm.com.au/images/stories/Company_Waiver/Waiver__Liability_Release_Agreement.pdf

2. I hereby release, waive and hold harmless the Glenn Doyle Family Trust, its trustees, Desert Storm Adventures, its drivers and employees of all claims, losses, damages or expenses during or in conjunction with my participation in the activities supplied by Desert Storm Adventures including any claims for damages caused by the negligence of The Glenn Doyle Family Trust, Desert Storm Adventures, its employees and drivers together with any costs including legal fees that may be incurred as a result of any such claims, losses, damages or expenses whether valid or not.

[mattyb89]

Why did he change from the old design bus??

it had to much forward weight and rear weight thats why he made the newer one

[KAL SPL]

The original bus used to be @ Whiteman park if memory serves me correct ?
Also turned up at a car show at Blemont racecourse years and years ago but cant what the show was.

Showing my age ...

[South]

Nah it used to be at that theme park on wanneroo road, 15-20kms up from intersection of wanneroo rd and hodges/joondalup drive/pinjar road (whatever it is)...

[yeahlow34]

I hereby release, waive and hold harmless the Glenn Doyle Family Trust, its trustees, Desert Storm Adventures, its drivers and employees of all claims, losses, damages or expenses during or in conjunction with my participation in the activities supplied by Desert Storm Adventures including any claims for damages caused by the negligence of The Glenn Doyle Family Trust, Desert Storm Adventures, its employees and drivers together with any costs including legal fees that may be incurred as a result of any such claims, losses, damages or expenses whether valid or not.[/I]

Waiver means nothing if the driver is can be held liable for actions. If he acted in a reckless manner, etc.

[KAL SPL]

Nah it used to be at that theme park on wanneroo road, 15-20kms up from intersection of wanneroo rd and hodges/joondalup drive/pinjar road (whatever it is)...

Dizzy lamb park , pretty sure it went there from Whiteman , or could be other way round.

[Lump]

Looking at the design of the thing, its got RHS tubes through out it so its not exactly half way short of a roll cage in the first place, as for it having a high centre of gravity, not overly, the body is fibre glass, the majority of the weight would be in the chasis and drive line which sits fairly low..

take a look at most monster truck vids, it takes a fair effort to tip the things over, so itd be fair to say this was a case of a bad choice of path getting down the dune, which even a normal car is easy to tip over when you get it wrong..


when its full of people that c of g would be quite high.

turning any off road vehicle around on a steep incline is to be avoided at all times - anyone thats done offroading would know that

[Denver]

Looking at the design of the thing, its got RHS tubes through out it so its not exactly half way short of a roll cage in the first place, as for it having a high centre of gravity, not overly, the body is fibre glass, the majority of the weight would be in the chasis and drive line which sits fairly low..

take a look at most monster truck vids, it takes a fair effort to tip the things over, so itd be fair to say this was a case of a bad choice of path getting down the dune, which even a normal car is easy to tip over when you get it wrong..

[mr_mike]

when its full of people that c of g would be quite high.

turning any off road vehicle around on a steep incline is to be avoided at all times - anyone thats done offroading would know that

yeh empty it would have low center of gravity but if you do the math-

32x85kg*2720kg

Thats alot of extra weight up high.


*just a guess weight considering they were all old asians.

[Denver]

whats that thing weight tho before people, 10ish ton?.. more?

[Fujiwara13]

yeh empty it would have low center of gravity but if you do the math-

32x85kg*2720kg

Thats alot of extra weight up high.


*just a guess weight considering they were all old asians.

What you'd be more interested in is moment of inertia I imagine. So what you're considering is:

EDIT: Started doing calculations, then realised nobody would find any use in figures in kgm^2.

[blaize]

Two people i work with are volunteer fire a rescue workers and they attended this on the weekend.

They said the only thing holding passengers in was a lap sash with a plastic 'backpack' style clip. Some passengers werent wearing them.

It had over the shoulder harnesses not lap belts.

I was up there riding when it happened and pretty much everything that the news has reported on sounds like bs. two of my mates who saw it say it was coming over the dune(there was tracks going over the dune none going up it,only the marks from where it tipped) not reversing down, everyone else was also saying it was going down the dune too. when we saw him driving it around he seemed like he was taking a bit of care/not driving fast over dunes only on flat etc.

Im pretty sure it had west aus plates on it too.

[mitchy]

And how many people listen to that? You are constantly putting your seat belt on and off in a plane, it becomes second nature.

When you are upside down or on your side with a harness on and pinned to your chair with flames lapping at your head, your probably going to struggle for a few moments...


Either way accidents happens, if they do have basics seat belts, then your an idiot to not put them on. It's a freaking monster truck and your hammering through dunes.

All speculation anyway, we weren't there at the time.

so now you know how many people listen to safety procedures on a plane?

assumption is the mother of all fuckups...

[blaize]

Not to mention that driving that thing is probably his career. They are having enough trouble with people trying to shut the dunes down due to it being too dangerous. I think someone who depends on it staying open wouldnt be trying to hurt the cause by driving like a fuckhead and nearly killing people.

[blaize]

Yeah i wasnt paying attention to the buckles. but when me and a mate walked into it after the crash there was full harnesses. In saying that though NONE of the people on the bus bar the driver/ the guy who was with him could speak any english. they had a translator with them who only just could speak english. so whether they put the seatbelts on or not is a different story.

[Lump]

It had over the shoulder harnesses not lap belts.
.

according to witness's it had plastic belt buckles, so more decoration than of any real use it seems

[South]

so now you know how many people listen to safety procedures on a plane?

assumption is the mother of all fuckups...

No actually it was a question, notice the question mark, it wasn't a statement...

retard

[BOSS 290]

Waiver means nothing if the driver is can be held liable for actions. If he acted in a reckless manner, etc.

Exactly. I doubt you can waive negligence.

[blaize]

Exactly. I doubt you can waive negligence.

Isnt that the point? Its not really a waiver more a contract that basically says if you get fucked up or die using this then its your own fault. What the point in getting people to sign it if its not going to do shit for you anyway? might aswell save the trees and not print the paper.