Nitra, Slovakia— A head-on collision between a bus and a freight truck left one person dead and 12 injured Wednesday morning near Nitra, blocking the main road for hours.
TASR reported the crash occurred at 7:20 a.m. on road I/64 near the village of Cabaj-Capor. The bus, carrying 28 passengers to Nitra, was traveling south. The freight truck, loaded with construction material, was heading north. They met on a slight curve.
Police said the truck crossed into the opposite lane. The bus driver tried to swerve onto the shoulder but could not avoid impact. The front of the bus was torn open. The truck cab was crushed and tipped onto its side.
The bus driver, 49, died trapped in his seat. Firefighters needed 40 minutes to extract his body. Twelve passengers were injured, four seriously with fractures and head trauma. They were taken to Nitra Faculty Hospital. The truck driver survived with minor injuries.
Inspector Lucia Novakova of the Nitra Regional Police said preliminary tests show no alcohol in either driver. She said road surface was wet after overnight rain. She said speed is being examined as a factor.
Rescue teams deployed four ambulances and a helicopter. The road was closed until 12:30 p.m. Traffic was diverted through local villages, causing long delays. A crane removed the truck at 11 a.m.
Passengers described chaos inside the bus. One said luggage fell from racks and people screamed. Another said the impact threw him two rows forward. Several were treated for shock at the scene.
The bus company, Arriva Nitra, suspended the route for the day and offered psychological support to passengers. The freight company said its driver had 15 years of experience and was on his first run of the day.
Prosecutors opened a case for negligent homicide and causing bodily harm. The truck's tachograph and the bus's dashcam were seized. Technical inspection of both vehicles is underway.
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