A tow-truck driver who was among the first to respond to the fatal incendiary attack on Manmeet Alisher has described the moments after the Brisbane city council bus driver was set afire.
Peter Buxton has told in an interview that he pulled over behind the bus and rushed right in.
“I stood next to Manmeet … in the seat there and tried to put the flames out… (The bus) Fully full of black sooty smoke.. the roof was melting and dripping down,” said Buxton.
Mr. Buxton had come to Brisbane from the Gold Coast for a job when he became a witness to this tragedy.
7 News speaks to a tow truck driver who leapt into action during the fatal bus attack at Moorooka. @GreenhalghSarah https://t.co/x7J74ZzNXy — 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) October 31, 2016
He saw the accused 48-year-old Anthony O’Donohue running out of the bus without realizing he was the alleged attacker.
“I stopped behind the bus and saw someone running out with their leg on fire. At that stage, as a human being I was there to help so I jumped out and grabbed a fire extinguisher,” he said.
Unaware of O’Donohue’s alleged involvement in the attack, Mr. Buxton later asked him if he was ok. “I got this blank look from him. He seemed to be just in a little world of his own,” said Mr. Buxton.
On Monday, Queensland health minister Cameron Dick said the accused assailant was a mental health patient who had received public metal health services.
He said a review would find out if he O’Donohue had received proper treatment.
Government confirms man accused of the Moorooka murder was a mental health patient. @ShaneDoherty9 #9News https://t.co/rKmWxIksV7 — Nine News Brisbane (@9NewsBrisbane) October 31, 2016
29-year-old Manmeet Alisher was set afire on Friday morning when he was driving a Brisbane city council bus. Queensland police said it was a random attack and there was no indication to link it to racism.
Manmeet’s elder brother Amit Alisher is in Brisbane along with a family friend. His mortal remains are expected to be flown back to India for the last rites later this week.
For more news and updates, follow SBS Punjabi on .
