A Brisbane City Council bus driver has apologised in court over the death of a young cyclist, who died at a busy intersection, when both he and the bus were given a green light.
Max McDowall’s family said he was an experienced and cautious cyclist. Credit: Facebook
Max McDowall, 20, died after he was hit by the council bus in Woolloongabba in May 2021, near Buranda train station.
The bus driver, Andrew Rudnicki, who was aged in his 60s at the time, was initially charged over the crash, but that has since been dropped.
Over a three-day inquest, which began on Monday, Coroner Donald MacKenzie is set to examine the circumstances of the crash, including Rudnicki’s ability to see McDowall, and whether any recommendations need to be made to improve safety in the area.
McDowall, whose family said he rode his bike because he had dreams to protect the environment, died after he was hit on the corner of Gillingham and O’Keefe streets.
The intersection is busy, and connects to the South East Busway, which runs along the Pacific Motorway.
On the first day of the inquest, Rudnicki, who is still driving buses for the council, told the Coroner’s Court he had driven the route hundreds of times, but when he entered that intersection, he could not see McDowall.
He told the court he was waiting at the red light, and about to turn left onto the busway. Rudnicki said once it turned green, he looked in the mirror, and because it was “all clear”, he started to move onto the busway.
Rudnicki also told the court he indicated at the time and was not travelling any quicker than 10 kilometres per hour.