A multi-vehicle crash involving a KamAZ truck and a passenger bus occurred near Yekaterinburg.

      A major road crash involving a passenger bus full of passengers occurred on Wednesday, December 24 on the Yekaterinburg–Tyumen highway. There were injuries.

      An accident involving four vehicles, in which two people were injured, occurred at about 17:05 in the territory of Beloyarsky District at the 47th kilometer of the federal Yekaterinburg–Tyumen highway, the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate of Russia for Sverdlovsk Oblast reported.

      According to preliminary information, the driver of a KamAZ truck carrying a consignment of juice products, traveling from Yekaterinburg toward Tyumen, struck a Mercedes-Benz Actros truck that was stopped ahead, then moved into the oncoming lane where he collided with an oncoming Sollers Atlant van, which as a result of the impact ran off into a roadside ditch.

      At the same time, a Yutong route bus traveling in the same direction as the van, while maneuvering to avoid a collision, moved into the far-left position and sideswiped the Mercedes-Benz Actros that was standing in the oncoming lane after the initial impact.

      As a result of the chain of collisions, the KamAZ’s body was partially destroyed and the transported goods spilled onto the roadway.

      Head and bodily injuries were sustained by the 60-year-old KamAZ driver, a resident of Volgograd, and the 21-year-old driver of the Sollers Atlant van, a resident of Nizhny Tagil. The former was taken to the Zarechny hospital; the latter received medical assistance at the scene and did not require hospitalization.

      At the time of the accident the Yutong bus running the Talitsa–Yekaterinburg route was carrying 24 passengers; none of them were injured.

      All participants in the accident were tested for intoxication; the results were negative.

      During the inspection, traffic police established that the KamAZ driver has 31 years of driving experience and has been held administratively liable for traffic violations 91 times.

      An administrative case has been opened against the man under Part 1 of Article 12.24 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (a traffic violation that resulted in minor or moderate harm to the victim’s health).

      The State Traffic Safety Inspectorate urges drivers to strictly observe traffic rules, exercise increased attention and caution, especially in difficult winter conditions when road situations can change instantly. Choosing a safe speed and following distance, as well as refraining entirely from dangerous maneuvers, is the key to preserving the lives and health of all road users.