Tassie bus victims elderly cancer patients

13 Sep 2012, 4:22 pm   -   Source: AAP

Three cancer patients have been killed in an horrific minibus crash in northern Tasmania.

An 84-year-old woman was among three cancer patients killed in an horrific minibus crash as they were being transported for treatment in Tasmania.

The three, all from the state's north, also included a 69-year-old man and a 65-year-old woman, police say.

Two died at the scene, near Elizabeth Town, on Wednesday and another during surgery.

Another two people remain in serious but stable conditions at Launceston General Hospital.

Police say investigations are continuing into how a trailer came loose from a garbage truck and caused the 11-seater Cancer Council bus to hit a power pole.

Cancer Council Tasmania chief executive Simon Barnsley said his organisation transported about 400 patients a total of more than 500,000km each year.

"We travel with a lot of people a lot of kilometres with a lot of volunteers and so something like this, it's a tragedy and we have to work through tragedies in the community," he told reporters.

Mr Barnsley said the minibus had seatbelts and the service's 90 volunteer drivers ensured they were worn.

"We have a clearly documented policy on seatbelts," he said.

"Our drivers all know the policy on seatbelts.

"They make sure everyone's wearing their seatbelts."

Mr Barnsley said the Transport 2 Treatment service was crucial for many patients who need daily treatment.

"It makes an enormous difference," he said.

"Many of the people are elderly. The distance to travel for daily treatment is quite significant.

"Therefore having a comfortable bus that's safe is really important to getting treatment every day."

Mr Barnsley, who confirmed the bus's driver was not seriously injured, will meet volunteers on Friday and is contacting the families of those affected to offer support.

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