Bus accident kills 19 people, injures 20 in central Chile

[News_Editor]

Bus accident kills 19 people, injures 20 in central Chile

2010-11-24 07:41:32 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANTIAGO, CHILE (BNO NEWS) -- A bus on Tuesday morning collided with a truck killing 19 people and seriously injuring 20 more in a highway near Santiago in central Chile, officials said.

The accident took place at about 8:00 a.m. local time as the bus was transiting at the 457 kilometer mark of the Sun Highway (Autopista del Sol) en route to Santiago. The passenger bus suddenly attempted to stop and made an evasive maneuver crossing the division fence and invading the other lane.

A truck carrying eggs was transiting in the opposite lane and collided front-to-front with the bus. The accident took place in a straight segment of the highway and under optimum conditions. Authorities believe that the bus driver is the one to blame for the fatal accident.

As consequence, 19 people, including men and women, died while 20 more were severely injured and are being treated in local hospitals.

Authorities investigating the accident informed that the Tur-Bus owned vehicle was moving at about 93 kilometers per hour at the moment of the impact.

It was initially believed that the driver may have fall asleep or was driving under non-recommended conditions, but the company said that both the driver and the aide were working in optimum conditions.

Tur-Bus added that both individuals slept approximately 9 hours the night before and had extensive knowledge of the route. The driver, Jose Luis Abarca, drove the route since 2007. The company added that the bus was reviewed on November 19 and had all the necessary safety measures, including seat belts for all passengers.

The maximum speed allowed in the place where the accident took place is 100 kilometers per hour. Authorities are trying to determined the cause of the driver’s sudden stop but the key witnesses, both drivers and the bus aide, were killed in the accident.

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera said that this was one of the worst road accidents in many years, due to the number of deaths and the amount of damage sustained. Both vehicles were left in half as their front areas were completely destroyed.

"Authorities have begun an extensive investigation," Pinera said. "No responsibility will remain unpunished."

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-11-24