A Kuo-Kuang Motor Transport Co bus flipped onto its side near the Chiayi System Interchange yesterday evening, causing three deaths and leaving 24 passengers injured, the Chiayi Fire Department said yesterday.
The bus, originating from Greater Tainan for Chaoma Bus Station in Greater Taichung, ran off the slope on the roadside at about 4:20pm, where it got stuck, the fire department said.
A witness alleged that the bus hit a car in front of it before the driver lost control of the vehicle.
Four people fell through the front windows of the bus and landed on the grass and in the ditch next to the road, Wang said, adding that after rescuing two passengers, he had ran over to the side of the road to look for help.
The rescue operations continued until 6:50pm, the fire department said, adding that the three deceased and 12 other passengers were sent to the Buddhist Tzu Chi Hospital in Dalin (大林).
Nine other injured passengers were sent to the Chang Gung Hospital’s Chiayi branch, and three were sent to the Chiayi Christian Hospital.
The police are investigating the cause of the incident, the fire department said.
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