Indian Ocean Drive crash: Victim was popular local John Rose

Heartfelt tributes are being shared of one of the victims of a horror crash on one of Western Australia’s most notorious roads.

Three people were killed when a bus full of Chinese tourist and a Toyota Hilux ute towing a caravan collided head-on on the Indian Ocean Drive about 30km north of Lancelin about 3pm yesterday.

The town is 127km north of Perth on the WA coast.

John Rose, 66, was the driver and only occupant of the ute.

He was on his way home to Jurien Bay after a weekend with his children and grandchildren.

“He was looking forward to spending more time with them as time went on, unfortunately this is a tragedy,” friend Alan Goodes said.

Dozens of firefighters, paramedics and police were called the scene to help the nine tourists who were injured.

Two people who were urgently transported to hospital could not be saved.

Police said they don’t believe the grandfather was trying to overtake or that road conditions were to blame.

They are now investigating the possibility of a medical episode, fatigue or distraction.

“John was a cautious driver, he wouldn’t have been on the wrong side of the road for no reason,” Mr Goodes said.

Nine people are still being treated in hospital, with four of the Chinese tourists, aged between 23 and 51, in a serious condition.

The five others, including the driver, are stable and expected to be released from hospital in the coming days.