A bus carrying more than a dozen passengers crashed into a North Balgowlah property this morning, reigniting long-standing concerns from residents about buses navigating the area’s narrow residential streets.
The 172X service left the road on Taree Avenue around 9am on 15 October, ploughing into a carport and bringing down power lines. The 37-year-old driver and 14 passengers all escaped injury, though the homeowner’s 16-year-old daughter, who was alone inside at the time, was later transported to Royal North Shore Hospital in a stable condition after experiencing a suspected medical episode.
The driver reportedly lost control whilst turning from Coramba Street into Taree Avenue, attempting to navigate the tight junction whilst avoiding another vehicle. A passenger described how the bus took the corner too wide, overcorrected to avoid a parked car, and continued into the property.
“When the masonry started falling off the house, that was when people got a bit worried,” the passenger said. “It could have been way, way worse.”
The collision destroyed the freestanding carport and crushed a 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL parked underneath. Fire and Rescue NSW Metro North Duty Commander Joshua Turner confirmed the house itself sustained no direct damage, though engineers will assess the structure for any movement.
Residents Say Crash Was Inevitable
For locals on Taree Avenue, the incident came as little surprise. Residents say they have been raising safety concerns with transport authorities for years, documenting previous incidents where buses have become stuck or narrowly avoided collisions in the same location.
One neighbour, Rachel, who has lived on the street for over a decade, said buses driving too fast through streets that aren’t wide enough have created an ongoing problem.
Published 15-October-2025
