Bus collision in Yatap-dong leaves 9 seriously hurt, 47 with minor injuries

A city bus collides with vehicles stopped at a traffic signal near a bus stop in Yatap-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province on Wednesday, injuring 57 bus passengers and other vehicle occupants. [Yonhap]
A city bus collides with vehicles stopped at a traffic signal near a bus stop in Yatap-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province on Wednesday, injuring 57 bus passengers and other vehicle occupants. [Yonhap]

A city bus rammed into stationary vehicles in Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province on Wednesday, injuring 57 people, nine of them seriously.

According to fire department authorities, the bus struck about 30 vehicles waiting at a traffic signal near a bus stop in Yatap-dong at around 7:34 a.m. Wednesday before hitting a median barrier and coming to a stop.

The collision shattered the bus's front windshield and caused part of the vehicle's body to buckle from the impact. A total of 57 people — including passengers on the bus and occupants of the stopped vehicles — were injured and are receiving treatment, with nine confirmed to be in serious condition.

Police and fire authorities plan to investigate the exact cause of the accident by questioning the bus driver and others involved. The inquiry has been complicated, however, by the fact that the driver was transported to a hospital following the crash. A roadside breathalyzer test found no alcohol in the driver's system, and police said they also intend to check for possible drug use.

At the scene, brake failure has been raised as a possible cause of the accident.


20ki@heraldcorp.com