A Ford Transit minibus carrying nine students and two teachers overturned on a highway in the Stavropol Region, according to a Telegram update from the regional State Traffic Inspectorate. The official channel reported the incident as a serious lapse in driving control rather than a mere accident on a routine morning route.
The report states that on the Ryzdvyany to Kazinka stretch, around 5:30 a.m. on December 14, the vehicle traveled at an unsafe speed, lost control, and veered off the road into a ditch, eventually tipping onto its side. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with emergency responders arriving promptly to secure the area and assess the needs of those on board.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the students or their two accompanying teachers. A second bus arrived at the site to transfer the children safely to their homes, reducing the risk of exposure to the winter conditions and ensuring a swift relocation from the accident scene. Local authorities coordinated the handover to guardians and school officials to confirm destination details and follow-up care.
Subsequent information from authorities indicated that the driver was responsible for transporting children during nighttime hours, with potential violations of essential safety conditions. The police have opened an inquiry to determine whether fatigue, visibility issues, or other factors contributed to the incident, and to establish if any regulatory breaches occurred. Investigators will review drivers’ schedules, rest periods, and the vehicle’s maintenance records as part of the search for root causes.
In a separate set of events from the region, an unrelated incident in Yekaterinburg involved a luxury car crashing into the exterior wall of an underground parking facility at a shopping center. The driver reported poor visibility due to fogged windows, leading to a collision that damaged the vehicle and the structure. The extent of damage was not disclosed, and investigators are examining any security camera footage or structural implications to understand the impact on the parking complex and surrounding traffic flow.
Additionally, reports mention another incident in Blagoveshchensk where a vehicle collided with the city hall building. Local authorities are reviewing the circumstances to determine the sequence of events, the potential involvement of other vehicles, and the broader implications for urban safety and emergency response planning. All incidents are under careful scrutiny as officials work to prevent recurrence and to reinforce safety protocols for drivers and passengers alike. These events underscore the importance of adhering to speed limits, ensuring proper driver rest, and maintaining buses and passenger vehicles for safe operation, especially on routes that pass through densely populated or high-traffic zones. Attentions remains on the ongoing investigations and any resulting safety advisories issued to transport operators. [Source: State Traffic Inspectorate Telegram channel]