The teen killed by an out-of-control bus during evening peak hour in front of shocked bystanders in the Brisbane CBD has been remembered as a ‘beautiful and unique’ young woman by heartbroken loved ones.
Tia Cameron, 18, had just finished getting her eyelashes done at a nearby beauty salon and was on her way to have cocktails with her aunt when the bus mounted a footpath and struck her near the corner of Ann and Edward streets in Brisbane on Friday night.
She tragically died at the scene, despite the frantic efforts of emergency responders.
Family have since revealed they launched a frantic search for Tia and filed a missing persons report after she failed to meet up with her aunt or return home on Friday night before their worst fears were realised.
It comes as loved ones mourned the loss of the vivacious teenager that they said been ‘stolen from us’.
Tia’s mother Jade Te Awhitu said the loss was shattering.
‘She was only 18 and had her whole life ahead of her,’ Ms Te Awhitu told the Courier Mail.
Tia Cameron has been identified as the 18-year-old victim of a bus that mounted a footpath in the Brisbane CBD on Friday night
Tia had just left a beauty salon after having her eyelashes done when she was pinned against the wall of a building by the bus, which had mounted the kerb and struck her from behind
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‘She was beautiful, outgoing and unique, really unique. She loved the beach, the Gold Coast, fashion and looking after her partner’s little puppies and dogs. She was really close with all of her family.’
Ms Cameron’s devastated aunty Karma Te Awhitu said: ‘We just feel like she’s been stolen from us.’
‘She messaged me at 4pm saying she was getting her lashes done and asking if I wanted to catch up for a quick cocktail before she headed home,’ she said.
‘When I hadn’t heard from her and her partner hadn’t heard from her, we realised she was missing and started looking for her. I was ringing the hospital and Hayden was calling the police and even went to the police station to file a missing-person report, because it was just so out of character for her.’
She added that her niece’s body is currently at the coroners and is expected to released back to the family on Monday.
‘We will update in the coming days regarding Tia’s celebration of life,’ she added.
Ms Cameron attended Ferny Grove State High but left school at 16 to work in the beauty industry.
She got an admin job at the prestigious Brisbane Club in the city.
Ms Te Awhitu said although her daughter loved that job, her interest was in pursuing beauty and cosmetics.
Tia had been dating her childhood sweetheart Hayden since she was 14.
‘He’s not very good but he’s holding in there – we’re all supporting each other,’ she added said.
‘I think we’re just all in shock.’
Tia Cameron (left) had been working at the prestigious Brisbane Club but wanted to pursue a career in beauty
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner promised ‘every one of the questions surrounding how the accident occurred ‘will be answered’. Pictured is his floral tribute at the crash scene
Floral tributes to the teenager piled up at the crash site in central Brisbane over Saturday
The Brisbane Club chief executive Ted Stewart said Ms Cameron was ‘young, full of life and always had a beautiful smile to greet her colleagues and members each day’.
‘I, along with Tia’s colleagues and all of The Brisbane Club wish to express our deepest condolences and our heartfelt love and support to Tia’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time,’ he said.
‘As a valued member of The Brisbane Club team, we know the loss is being felt by many and we are coming together to support staff and members at this time.’
By Saturday afternoon, a growing shrine of floral tributes had been set up at the crash scene.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner was among those to pay tribute and lay flowers at the crash scene.
‘What happened in Brisbane last night was a devastating tragedy,’ Cr Schrinner wrote on Facebook.
‘It has left our entire community in shock.
‘To the family and friends of Tia Cameron who tragically lost her life, and to everyone impacted, the thoughts, prayers and hearts of Brisbane are with you.’
Cr Schrinner also promised ‘every one of the questions surrounding how the accident occurred ‘will be answered’.
‘We know right now that the police are working on this,’ he said.
‘We’re assisting them in every way possible. A range of camera footage has been provided including both traffic camera footage and from the bus itself.
‘Everything possible is being done to find and provide those answers. I want the people of Brisbane to know and I particularly want the family and friends of this young woman to know that Brisbane is a city that’s with you now.’
Another Brisbane councillor Ryan Murphy added: ‘Tia Cameron lost her life in an unthinkable way.
‘She and her family are in our thoughts, as are the brave first responders, those on the bus, and everyone who bore witness to this profound tragedy.
The incident caused chaos near the scene at the intersection of Edward and Adelaide streets, with pedestrians running from the crash site and peak hour traffic diverted
‘People are seeking answers and so are we.
‘Please don’t forget our thousands of drivers out there today on the road, who are also hurting. It’s a tough job, so let’s be kind.’
The bus had just turned into Edward St from Ann St during Friday afternoon peak hour when it appears the driver lost control and veered toward the footpath.
Ms Cameron was reportedly facing the wall of a building at Anzac Square when she was hit from behind and pinned against the wall of the structure.
Nine people travelling on the bus were also treated by paramedics, with five transported to hospital, including the driver, with minor injuries after they were thrown from their seats during the collision.
The incident caused chaos near the scene at the intersection of Edward and Adelaide streets, not far from Brisbane’s Central railway station, with pedestrians running from the crash site and peak hour traffic diverted.
Witnesses described hearing the bus hit a light pole before crashing onto the footpath and seeing ‘bricks flying’, according to the Courier Mail.
The bus has just turned into Edward St from Ann St during Friday afternoon peak hour when it appears the driver lost control and veered toward the footpath
Minh Phan, the owner of the salon the victim visited before the tragedy, left flowers at the scene on Saturday morning.
‘I’m very sad to hear what has happened,’ Ms Phan told waiting media. ‘And I feel very sorry for her family.’
Queensland Premier Steven Miles posted to X to offer his condolences to the family of the young woman.
‘I’m saddened to hear the news that a woman has died after a bus was involved in a serious crash in Brisbane CBD this evening,’ he posted on X.
Police investigations into the cause of the tragic accident are ongoing.