The investigation continues into the accident of the tourist bus that was traveling to the Lakes of Covadonga (Asturias), which overturned and plunged down a hillside on Monday morning, July 31. None of the occupants died in the incident, which left six people seriously injured “with a reserved prognosis”, another six less serious and 37 minor.
So that they did not have to mourn the deaths, it was key that most passengers wore seat belts. This restraint certainly prevented them from being thrown out of the seat and hit as the vehicle rolled a couple of times down the hill. The travelers who suffered the worst injuries were those who were not wearing it.
A total of 49 people were traveling on the bus, including the driver. Among the travelers were ten children between eight months and 13 years old, none of whom suffered serious injuries.
Likewise, rapid action and coordination in the rescue would have been another key element after the incident. The Vice President of the Government of the Principality of Asturias and Minister of the Presidency, Demographic Challenge, Equality and Tourism, Gimena Llamedo, has stated that “a tragedy that could have been of much greater dimensions” has been avoided.
The accident has opened a debate in the networks about the use of seat belts during bus trips, something that many people do not use to use, despite the fact that it is just as mandatory as that of the car. Likewise, netizens have criticized the conditions in which these types of excursions take place.
“I’m not surprised… No one who has taken a bus to the lakes can be surprised,” journalist Enrique Bermúdez tweeted. Immediately afterwards, he published a second tweet recalling how his bus ride to the Lakes of Covadonga was in 2016, a journey that he classified as “Risky, to say the least”.
In the photograph it can be seen that the road is too narrow to cover two buses that circulate in two directions, so they pass very close to each other. Users have supported the journalist, sharing his experiences.
“In my opinion, the principality should take certain security measures on that road, starting with a widening of the road, since from what I see in the photo, there are barely 2 buses, putting everyone’s safety at risk. After this, measures should be taken.”, says @ElPresidentYT
Although the investigation is still ongoing, from the Principality of Asturias, they have confirmed that the accident occurred when two buses coincided in the section near the Mirador de la Reina. Alsa, the company to which the damaged vehicle belongs, has assured that the driver of the vehicle was going at a permitted speed and has 21 years of experience in the service.
