Bus plunges into Turin river: Driver dies, 3 injured in crash
Tragedy struck the center of Turin when a bus plunged into the Po River, right in the heart of the city. There have been casualties from the incident. Despite a swift rescue operation, emergency responders were unable to save the life of the 64-year-old driver. There were no passengers on the bus.
The dramatic incident occurred on Wednesday, March 26, at around 5:30 PM local time near the Vittorio Emanuele I bridge, which connects the center of Turin with the opposite riverbank.
City surveillance footage shows a medium-sized bus breaking through the bridge barriers while reversing, and then falling into the river.
First responders quickly initiated a rescue operation. The 64-year-old driver was inside the vehicle. Although rescuers managed to pull him from the water fairly quickly, he passed away shortly after resuscitation efforts. The Italian newspaper "La Stampa" reports that the bus was not carrying passengers.
Bystanders were also affected by the incident. During the maneuver, the bus hit three women, who were slightly injured. They received treatment from Italian medical rescue teams.
Witnesses describe the drama in Turin
Witnesses told Italian media that the driver, once extracted, was "covered in blood," and the rescue operation began swiftly. Most people emphasize that the event was accompanied by a loud noise.
"There was an incredible crash; I've never experienced anything like it. I saw the bus go beyond the roadway, standing vertically for a few seconds before it plunged straight down. There was a mighty splash in the water, and everyone around began to scream," said a 17-year-old student from a nearby school in an interview with "La Stampa."
Although the causes of the incident remain unconfirmed, it's suggested that the driver may have fainted at the wheel. There are also theories about a mistaken maneuver. Divers have confirmed no other people were in the bus. Italian authorities are working to determine the cause of the incident.
