A bus driver in Maceió, Alagoas, experienced a medical emergency on Friday afternoon, leading to a single-vehicle accident. The driver reported feeling a sudden and unexpected illness while operating the bus, which caused him to lose control of the steering.
The incident occurred on Avenida Durval de Góes Monteiro. The bus, belonging to the Real Alagoas company and operating on line 053 – Graciliano Ramos/Centro (via Farol), veered off course and mounted the central median of the avenue before striking a public lighting pole.
Emergency services from the Samu (Mobile Emergency Care Service) responded to the scene. The driver was conscious when attended to and did not have any visible external injuries. He was transported in a stable condition to the Hospital Geral do Estado (HGE) for further evaluation and treatment.
A significant detail from the incident is that no passengers aboard the bus were injured in the collision. The Sindicato das Empresas de Transporte Urbano de Passageiros de Maceió (Sinturb), the union representing urban passenger transport companies, confirmed these details following the accident.
Real Alagoas, the bus operating company, stated that it provided immediate assistance to both the driver and the passengers after the crash. The company has initiated an internal investigation, and the case will be examined by its technical workplace safety team to determine the precise circumstances.
The event highlights the potential risks of sudden medical incapacitation for professional drivers. The driver's report of an unforeseen malaise underscores the challenges in preventing such accidents, even with standard safety protocols in place.
Authorities have not indicated any mechanical failure or external factors contributing to the crash. The primary cause, as reported, remains the driver's sudden health issue. The investigation by the company's safety team is expected to provide a more detailed account.
Based on reporting from g1.