Report released: The sole party at fault in the Mersin accident has been identified!

In the preliminary report prepared by an expert panel as part of the investigation into the multi-vehicle traffic accident in Mersin that resulted in 11 deaths, it was stated that the detained bus driver was the "sole and primary party at fault."

The investigation launched by the Tarsus Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into the accident that occurred on May 26 near the Yenice neighborhood of the Tarsus-Adana-Gaziantep (TAG) Motorway is ongoing.

In this context, a preliminary report was prepared by experts in their fields appointed by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

The expert panel's preliminary report stated that, taking into account "the examination conducted in the area, weather conditions, traffic flow, and the circumstances of the accident," the "sole and primary party at fault" in the incident is the bus driver, Ali G.

The report noted that the expert panel's investigation into the accident is being conducted meticulously.

The traffic accident report prepared by police teams also recorded that the bus driver was "primarily at fault" on the grounds that he "did not comply with the speed conditions required by the road and weather."

Meanwhile, it was learned that the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has appointed another expert panel to initiate an investigation into whether there were any technical or functional deficiencies in the bus.

'I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND HOW I CRASHED'

The statements given by the detained bus driver, Ali G., to the prosecutor's office and the police have also been obtained.

Explaining that they set off from Diyarbakır towards Istanbul at around 10:30 on May 26, Ali G. stated the following:

"I was in the vehicle as the second driver. The first driver drove the vehicle until 16:00 in the evening. Then, when he went to rest, I took his place. We dropped off some passengers in Adana. A while after passing the Adana toll booths, the bus started to slide before I could understand what was happening. 

I could not regain control of the steering wheel; I lost control of the bus. The vehicle tipped over on its side. Sliding in this way, I crossed to the other side. I didn't even realize I had hit the other cars."

Stating that he got out of the vehicle after the accident, Ali G. said, "I got out of the vehicle immediately after the accident. When I looked outside at that moment, I saw the other vehicles I had hit. Then I started to see the injured people on the bus. I helped some of them get out of the vehicle. Then I tried to find help. I called out to those around me and asked them to call 112. I am very sorry about the incident. I wish it hadn't happened. I was doing this job to earn a living."

DRIVER HAD BEEN ARRESTED

On the TAG Motorway near the Yenice neighborhood, a passenger bus with license plate 34 SD 8821, belonging to the Star Diyarbakır company and driven by Ali G., crossed into the opposite lane and hit 2 cars and 1 truck, after which another accident occurred in the same area. In the first accident, 11 people lost their lives and 33 were injured, while 6 people were injured in the other accident. The bus driver, Ali G., was arrested after being taken into custody following his medical treatment.