France: Bus, Truck Collision on French Highway Kill 42 Elderly Vacationers

by Benson Agoha | Accident

At least 42 have been killed after bus and truck collided on the High Way near the French city of Bordeaux, Sky News reports.

* Paramedics stretcher out the bodies and the injured.

The accident, confirmed by French authorities, early Friday morning as local reports indicate that most of the victims are elderly people who were on vacation.

Most of the retirees were said to be on a day trip. Four others were gravely injured following a ensuing fire from the collision which occurred in southwestern France.

An image released by BFM television showed the carcass of the bus - a collapsing, charred frame engulfed by smoke. Firefighters fanned out along the narrow road, between a wooded area and an upward slope near the village of Puisseguin, about 35 miles east of Bordeaux.

French President Francois Hollande promised an investigation into the crash, which he called "an immense tragedy."

President Hollande also said "the solidarity of the whole nation" was with the loved ones of the victims.

Puisseguin Mayor Xavier Sublett told i-Tele television that eight people however, escaped from the bus, after the driver opened the door, but others were trapped as the blaze consumed the vehicles.

But Mr Sublett said the truck driver lost control. The bus driver "tried to avoid it, but the truck came and hit it, and he couldn't do anything except activate the mechanism to open the doors to allow some people to get out," Mr Sublett said.