Bus Overturns in Jaboticabal: 2 Dead, 38 Injured

Quick Summary

A tragic bus accident occurred in Jaboticabal, São Paulo, resulting in two fatalities and 38 injuries. The bus, operated by Grandino, was en route from São Paulo to Olímpia when it overturned on an access ramp to the city.

According to the company, the vehicle was not on its standard route and was traveling at excessive speeds. The Polícia Militar Rodoviária (PMR) recorded a speed of 100 km/h in a zone limited to 40 km/h. While the cause is still under investigation, company officials have raised the possibility of a sudden medical emergency affecting the driver.

Rescue teams worked to extract passengers from the wreckage, transporting the injured to local hospitals. Survivors recounted the terrifying moments of the crash, describing a scene of panic and confusion.

Crash Details and Speed Violations

The bus overturned on the Brigadeiro Faria Lima highway (SP-326) near the entrance to Jaboticabal. The vehicle was carrying 40 people at the time of the accident, including passengers and two drivers who were rotating shifts.

Investigations by the traffic police revealed that the bus was traveling at a dangerous speed. The tacógrafo (tachograph) registered a speed of 100 km/h at the moment of the accident. This was significantly higher than the permitted limit for that specific section of the road, which is 40 km/h.

Edvan Nunes, the operations supervisor for Grandino, stated that the accident occurred on a ramp parallel to the main road, a location that is not part of the company's standard route. He emphasized that the company is investigating why the bus deviated from its path.

Company Statement and Investigation

Grandino released a statement expressing condolences and confirming that support teams were assisting passengers. The company assured the public that the vehicle had up-to-date maintenance and all required regulatory licenses.

Supervisor Edvan Nunes provided specific details regarding the physical evidence at the scene. He noted that marks on the asphalt suggested the driver did not attempt to brake before the collision.

"A perícia vai mostrar que a velocidade do ônibus acabou se excedendo, e ali pelas marcas que têm no asfalto, tem marcas de derrapagem, não de frenagem, isso pode levar a crer que o motorista tenha tido um mal súbito," Nunes said. This translates to the observation that the skid marks, rather than brake marks, suggest the driver may have suffered a sudden illness.

Both drivers were subjected to teste do bafômetro (breathalyzer tests), which returned negative results for alcohol. The police confirmed the bus's documentation was regular.

Victims and Rescue Operations 🚑

The accident claimed the lives of two individuals: a child and a woman. All other occupants suffered various injuries. The bus initially departed with 46 people, but some passengers had disembarked during the trip prior to the crash, leaving 40 people on board at the time of the incident.

Survivors described a harrowing experience. One passenger, José Carlos Martins Júnior, stated, "Ainda não assimilei o que aconteceu porque precisei ajudar as pessoas que estavam presas nas ferragens." He added, "Muito sangue, pessoas gritando, pessoal tentando sobreviver e entender o que estava acontecendo."

Emergency response teams transported the injured to the Unidade de Pronto Atendimento (UPA) in Jaboticabal. Five victims were reported in grave condition and were transferred to specialized facilities:

• Two patients were sent to the Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto.
• Two patients were sent to the Hospital Santa Isabel in Jaboticabal.
• One patient was sent to the Santa Casa de Sertãozinho.

The access ramp to Jaboticabal was closed to traffic until 10:13 a.m. while the scene was cleared and the investigation proceeded.