Guardia Civil investigate coach crash
Driver may have been distracted, according to EFE
AT least five people were taken to hospital with diverse injuries when a coach overturned on Saturday night at the A-7 motorway, close to the Orihuela/Redován junction.
The provincial fire service reported that more than 50 people were travelling on the vehicle operated by public transport company Alsa.
Fire service teams from Orihuela, Almoradí and Crevillente were sent to the scene of the accident in the municipality of Granja de Rocamora.
A brigade spokesperson reported that they ‘helped with the rescue and extraction of the passengers’ who were trapped inside the coach.
State news agency EFE reported that the vehicle may have overturned after it left the carriageway.
Two people were seriously injured – a pregnant woman who suffered an acute traumatic head injury, and person who suffered a broken humerus.
They were both taken to Elche general hospital for treatment.
Three other passengers were taken to nearby Vega Baja hospital.
Five other people suffered light injuries which did not require hospital treatment, according to the fire service.
Guardia Civil traffic officers are investigating the cause of the accident.
According to EFE, a Guardia Civil source reported that the driver of the coach may have been distracted, which led to the vehicle leaving the carriageway. They reported that the driver tested negative for alcohol and drugs.
The coach was operating the Barcelona-Murcia-Algeciras line.
Alsa reported that they sent a replacement vehicle to pick up the uninjured passengers so they could continue their journey.
The accident occurred at around 22.00 in the southbound carriageway.