Sierre bus crash, 13 March 2012: the bus crashed head-on into a pullover emergency area, killing 28 of the 34 people on board
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – New test results for the vehicle and the driver of the Belgian school ski trip bus that crashed in a tunnel in Sierre in March, killing 28 people, indicate some possible causes, but don’t provide any clear answers.
The public defender’s office in canton Valais released new information Thursday 30 August that show the driver, with blocked arteries and a smoking habit, could have had a heart attack, but there are no clear indications this is the case. He was not under the influence of drugs or drink and his rest/driving times in recent days were within legal limits.
His cause of death has been determined: the result of trauma from injuries sustained in the crash. The report also shows that he was taking anti-depressants at the time, but the amount found in his bloodstream was consistent with his daily dose.
The cantonal office expects a 3D modeling of the accident in the next few days but initial information from the company doing this indicates that they are unlikely to come up with a scenario much different from initial reports on the bus and its path.
If the only possible suspected cause of the accident is linked to the driver and possibly his health, the investigation will be closed, today’s statement notes.
