Statement of driver arrested in metrobus accident revealed: 'Because I couldn't pull the emergency brake'

The investigation continues into the driver, Şaban Ş., who was ordered to be arrested following the accident at the Haramidere Sanayi Metrobus Station, where a metrobus rear-ended another that was waiting to pick up passengers.

As part of the investigation, the statement given by the suspect, Şaban Ş., at the Beylikdüzü Şehit Orhan Şahin Police Station has been obtained.

Stating that he began his shift at 12:57 on the day of the incident, Şaban Ş. said that after his first trip, he rested for 20 minutes, then changed the metrobus he was operating to begin his second trip, noting that the weather was rainy.

Şaban Ş. stated that the metrobus he was operating was longer than others because it was a double-articulated vehicle, and noted the following:

"I did not experience any problems until the Saadetdere Metrobus Station. There was a high density of passengers on the metrobus. On the same day, around 16:55, I was heading from Saadetdere Station toward Haramidere Station. Since the road between the two stops is a downhill slope, I was moving cautiously. For this reason, I was keeping my speed slow. I believe my maximum speed was 40 kilometers per hour. I started to press the brake about 100 meters before reaching the station. Due to the rainy weather and the slippery road at the metrobus station, even though I pressed the brake, the vehicle slowed down but skidded and did not stop."

Stating that he pressed the brake again to stop the vehicle, Şaban Ş. said, "I could not stop the vehicle. I saw that the vehicle in front of me was dropping off and picking up passengers. Thinking that I could stop by hitting the concrete barrier on the right to minimize the impact of the accident, I turned the steering wheel to the right. Despite all my efforts, I could not stop the vehicle. I rear-ended the metrobus in front. Because I was in a state of panic, I could not pull the emergency brake. Because I could not pull the emergency brake, the metrobus I was operating dragged the one in front a bit further. I was also injured. I was taken to the hospital."

Şaban Ş. said that he was operating the vehicle in accordance with the instructions and that he was driving cautiously because he knew the road was slippery after the rain.

Stating that he intended to inform IETT officials about the slippery road after completing his trip, but that the accident occurred before he could do so, Şaban Ş. noted that he was very sorry for the accident.

In the accident that occurred on May 10 at the Beylikdüzü Haramidere Sanayi Metrobus Station, when a metrobus rear-ended another that was waiting to pick up passengers, Ebru Heper lost her life and 57 people were injured.