Adventure-loving tourist, 26, killed in horror bus crash on dream holiday down under

Serena Andreatta, 26, was among 30 people on board the FlixBus coach when it rolled off Bruce Highway near Gumlu, Queensland, on 14 May during her round the world trip

A 26-year-old holidaymaker has tragically died in a devastating bus crash while on her dream trip to Australia. Serena Andreatta succumbed to her injuries in hospital following the collision.

The Argentine-Italian traveller was amongst 30 passengers aboard the FlixBus vehicle when it overturned on Bruce Highway last Thursday (14 May). The coach was operating a route from Cairns to Airlie Beach when it came off the road near Gumlu in Queensland, Australia.

Nineteen other wounded passengers, made up largely of international visitors and British backpackers, were assessed and transported to hospitals throughout Bowen, Ayr, and Townsville. Serena had touched down in Australia on 17 April following six months touring Southeast Asia. She had explored Vietnam and Thailand’s Koh Tao island, where she earned her Dive Master qualification, according to NeedToKnow.

The victim, originally from Rosario in Argentina’s Santa Fe province, had relocated to Italy several years earlier and was employed as a waitress and hotel receptionist in Lombardy.

She subsequently established her own online consultancy helping Argentines secure Italian citizenship. A keen globetrotter, she had explored Europe, the US, India and other destinations, documenting her journeys on social media.

She was accompanied by her companion Valentina Accardi, who sustained severe injuries and remains hospitalised in Townsville.

Two additional passengers suffered life-threatening wounds; the rest received treatment and were largely released.

The 70-year-old driver, from Mackay, received minor injuries in the incident. FlixBus maintained he wasn’t exceeding speed limits and returned negative results for alcohol and drugs, though Queensland Police are yet to verify these claims.

State premier David Crisafulli said: “Someone in the prime of their life, on the trip of a lifetime, in another country, has lost their life.

“You’ve got young people in many cases living out their dream in a foreign country.”

Both he and Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg drew attention to longstanding safety worries surrounding Bruce Highway, which has witnessed numerous severe collisions, including a deadly Greyhound crash in 2024.

Crisafulli declared the road “is not up to scratch”. Queensland Police superintendent Dean Cavanagh described the scene as complicated, involving many international passengers, and confirmed the forensic crash unit is conducting an investigation.

One survivor, Erica Chindamo, recalled frantically searching for Serena, who had been sitting close by and was “not moving”.

She commended the driver as considerate, but raised doubts about whether he ought to have been operating such an extensive route single-handedly.

FlixBus conveyed deep sorrow and is supporting authorities and grieving families. The matter continues to be under investigation.