Title: Deadly Bus Crash in Hadsel leaves three dead and dozen injured
In a chilling incident, a bus careened off the E10 highway at Raftsundet in Hadsel municipality, plunging into Åsvatnet lake, leaving three dead and eleven injured. The accident occurred amid poor weather conditions and a full bus. The victims have been identified as two women aged 40-50 and 20-30, and a child between 10 and 12 years old.
Survivors Recall Terrifying Journey
Chinese national, 20-year-old Zhang Hujia, recounted his ordeal to VG, stating, "I felt the bus had too many people and was driving too fast." He sustained stitches following the accident. Other passengers echoed similar sentiments about the bus’s speed, as reported by both VG and TV 2.
Hujia, who was on vacation to witness the Northern Lights, thought he might not survive the crash. "I thought: ‘I might die here,’" he told TV 2.
Company Denies Blame
Boreal Norge AS, the company operating the bus, maintains neutrality regarding the cause of the accident due to ongoing police investigations. In a statement, Jon Kristian Fadnes, the company’s communication spokesperson, said, "The incident is being investigated by the police, and we are cooperating fully. We extend our deepest sympathies to the victims and their families."
Bus Driver’s Position
The bus driver has been charged and had his driver’s license revoked. A blood test was conducted, and the driver was interrogated the following day. The driver’s lawyer, Stig Mortensen, told VG that his client believed extreme weather conditions and wind were the primary factors in the crash.
International Tragedy
The bus was cleared from the scene on Friday night for further examination by the Accident Commission, the Public Roads Administration, and local police technicians. The nationalities of the deceased and injured passengers have not been Official disclose, but reports suggest they came from countries including China, Singapore, India, Malaysia, the Netherlands, South Sudan, France, and Norway.
This tragic accident in Hadsel serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of road safety, particularly in challenging weather conditions. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families.
