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Driver speaks out on crash that injured 24: 'I steered the bus into the ditch to save the passengers' lives'

24 passengers were injured when a passenger bus overturned on the Sivas-Erzincan highway. There were no fatalities in the accident. Following the crash, the bus driver explained how the incident occurred.

İHA

According to the information obtained, the accident occurred around 22:30 at the 10th kilometer of the Sivas-Erzincan highway in the İmranlı district of Sivas.

The Mercedes-brand passenger bus with license plate 02 KD 571, belonging to the Yeşil Erciş company and traveling in the direction of Erzincan, went off the road and overturned after the driver lost steering control.

The İmranlı Search and Rescue Team (İMAYKUT) and numerous ambulances were dispatched to the scene.

The 24 passengers injured in the accident were taken to İmranlı State Hospital by ambulance. It was stated that the injuries of the passengers were not life-threatening.

BUS DRIVER SPEAKS OUT

Speaking after the accident in which 24 passengers were injured, bus driver Cafer Kılıç said that he had to steer the bus into the ditch to save the lives of the passengers and himself.

According to the information obtained, the accident occurred around 22:30 at the 10th kilometer of the Sivas-Erzincan highway in the İmranlı district of Sivas.

The passenger bus with license plate 02 KD 571, operated by Cafer Kılıç and belonging to the Yeşil Erciş company, which had departed from Ankara and was heading toward Erciş in Van, went off the road and overturned after another bus coming from the opposite direction attempted an illegal overtake.

The İmranlı Search and Rescue Team (İMAYKUT) and numerous ambulances were dispatched to the scene. The 24 passengers injured in the accident were taken to İmranlı State Hospital by ambulance. It was stated that the injuries of the passengers were not life-threatening.

"THANK GOD NO ONE DIED"

Making a statement after the accident, bus driver Cafer Kılıç stated that he had to cause the accident to save the passengers' lives, saying, “Due to road work, the road was open to vehicle traffic in only one direction. On a sharp curve, another bus was coming toward me. It pulled out to overtake.

When we were head-to-head, I threw the vehicle into the ditch to save our lives. I was forced to cause this accident to save the passengers' lives and my own.

Thank God no one died. The bus that caused the accident did not stop and continued on its way. We have filed a complaint with the authorized officials. We want that driver to be found," he said.