Vic: Inquest hears of Egypt bus crash which killed six

AAP General News (Australia)
04-16-2008
Vic: Inquest hears of Egypt bus crash which killed six

A Melbourne inquest's been told the driver of an Egyptian tour bus lost control on
a bend .. struck a pole and then a palm tree .. killing six Australians on board.

Counsel assisting the coroner .. GEOFFREY HORGAN SC .. says the bus didn't appear defective
.. and driver fatigue may have played a role.

Mr HORGAN also says some passengers claim the driver was talking and texting on his
mobile .. and frequently overtaking during the trip.

Driver MAHMOUD MUHAMED HAFEZ has said heavy rain caused the bus to crash .. not his
negligence or lack of attention.

26 tourists were also injured when the bus flipped on a desert highway near Cairo in
January 2006.

AAP RTV mi/szp/gfr/bwl/jec/bart

KEYWORD: EGYPT CRASH (MELBOURNE)

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