A bus carrying enterprise employees overturned in the Stavropol region, according to a Telegram channel operated by the regional traffic police. The incident occurred in the Novoaleksandrovsky district on the evening of January 12, during what authorities described as rapidly changing road and weather conditions that can surprise drivers after sunset.
The official report notes that near the 7 kilometer mark of the Novoaleksandrovsk-Kropotkin highway, the PAZ bus driver failed to account for the road surface and prevailing meteorological factors. As a result, the vehicle lost control, veered toward the roadside, and flipped onto its side. The accident scene prompted a response from emergency services and prompted road safety officials to review the section for potential contributing factors such as visibility, ice, and lane discipline.
At the moment of the crash there were five passengers aboard the bus. A 49-year-old local resident sustained injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The bus driver, a 63-year-old man, remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators as they collected evidence and interviewed witnesses. Investigators from the regional traffic police have opened a formal inquiry to determine the sequence of events and whether corrective actions on the transport route or in vehicle maintenance could have prevented the incident.
In a separate note, authorities referenced a separate incident involving a Lada Vesta from the State Duma fleet. The car reportedly collided with a Gazelle after another vehicle rear-ended it. At the time of that crash, it was not disclosed whether there were occupants inside the Lada Vesta or the exact location and context of the impact. The event is noted as part of a broader discussion on road safety and fleet management in public service vehicles.
Earlier in the year, news from the region highlighted another hazardous scenario when a car went through ice while drifting down a river in Pskov. While not directly connected to the Stavropol event, the report underscores ongoing concerns about driver decisions in challenging winter conditions and the wear on aging road infrastructure that can complicate safe travel in cold months.
Experts emphasize that incidents like these typically trigger a multi-agency review, including traffic police, road maintenance services, and transport safety inspectors. The aim is to identify if weather advisories, speed limits, or road treatment strategies require adjustment and to reinforce driver training for extreme weather scenarios. Local authorities urge drivers to heed weather alerts, plan routes carefully, and perform pre-trip checks on vehicles to minimize the risk of rollover or loss of control in icy conditions. Citations acknowledged: regional traffic police updates and subsequent safety briefings.