Bus Crash Near Bourg-en-Bresse Kills Several People

Update

Bus Crash Near Bourg-en-Bresse Kills Several People

The prosecutor's office in Bourg-en-Bresse has confirmed that the driver involved in the crash was hospitalized and, as of the latest reports, had not yet been questioned regarding the circumstances leading to the accident. ^[2]

The bus operated on a regional line between Lyon and Bourg-en-Bresse, chartered by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, and was carrying 49 passengers, including 23 minors. Consequently, judicial authorities have opened an investigation for manslaughter (homicide routier). Philippe Tabarot, the Minister of Transport, announced he was heading to the scene immediately upon hearing the news, speaking from Lyon station during the inauguration of a new TGV. While initial reactions referred to a school bus, the Ain prefecture clarified it was an intercity bus. ^{[2] [3]}

The official death toll stands at two, with 29 injured, four of whom are in absolute emergency condition, two with life support engaged. ^{[2] [3]}

Yves Cristin, the mayor of Lent, told AFP that the bus left the road and collided with a tree in a ditch. He reported that two passengers were in cardiac arrest upon the arrival of emergency services, alongside numerous other injured. ^[2]

The mayor specified that the accident occurred around 7:00 AM on the D22 departmental road. The accident took place on Friday morning in the municipality of Lent, located south of Bourg-en-Bresse in the Ain department. The prefecture initially described the scene as having 'multiple victims' as the situation unfolded. ^[2]

Update

Bus Crash Near Bourg-en-Bresse: Driver Admits to Dozing Off, Death Toll Confirmed at Two

The death toll from the bus crash near Bourg-en-Bresse, France, has been confirmed at two, while 29 people were injured, according to the Bourg-en-Bresse prosecutor’s office. Among the deceased are a seven-year-old Bosnian girl under international protection and an 18-year-old male student from Lyon. Four injured individuals are in absolute emergency condition, with two having their life support engaged, while the remaining 25 suffered lighter injuries. ^[3]

The 26-year-old driver, hospitalized after being extricated from the wreckage, has been placed in police custody. He informed investigators that he dozed off while driving and woke up on the opposite side of the road before the vehicle struck several trees. Initial drug and alcohol tests were negative, and he had passed a random drug test in mid-October. ^[3]

Judicial authorities have opened an investigation for manslaughter (homicide routier) to determine the precise circumstances of the crash. The bus, operating on a regional line between Lyon and Bourg-en-Bresse chartered by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, was carrying 49 passengers, including 23 minors. Transportation Minister Philippe Tabarot arrived at the scene, describing the vehicle as being in good condition and noting the operator Philibert had undergone 106 inspections since 2024. ^[3]