Two colleagues, Per Åkesson and Kalle Klensmeden, became unexpected heroes when they stopped to help victims of a bus crash on the E4 highway. Their swift actions, including digging out trapped passengers, were crucial before emergency services arrived. The bus, carrying 52 people from Linköping University, resulted in 17 hospitalizations, with two serious injuries.
Heroes on the Highway: Quick-Thinking Colleagues Aid Bus Crash Victims
Heroes on the Highway: Quick-Thinking Colleagues Aid Bus Crash Victims
Colleagues Per Åkesson and Kalle Klensmeden arrived at the scene of a bus that had veered off the E4 highway shortly after the accident. They stopped to assist the injured.
– It was a scary situation. We did the best we could, says Per Åkesson.
Per Åkesson and Kalle Klensmeden were traveling from Norrköping to Skåne for work on Thursday afternoon. They reached the accident site just minutes after the bus had left the road.
Per Åkesson recounts:
– Between Norrköping and Linköping, we saw a truck on the other side flashing its lights. We wondered: Why are you flashing? The weather was bad, but not pouring.
– Seconds later, we saw the bus off the road. My colleague, who was driving, made a quick decision: We have to help. He pulled over, and we ran to the scene.
Digging Out the Injured
Per Åkesson and Kalle Klensmeden saw several people exiting the bus through the rear window. They were shocked, some bleeding. The scene was distressing, reminiscent of war zones seen on TV, says Per Åkesson.
– We saw a woman conscious but in severe shock. She had hit the side of her head and was bleeding heavily. We helped her out through the bus's front window.
Per Åkesson and Kalle Klensmeden then saw three women trapped under the bus. They began digging to free them.
– It looked quite critical. Another guy and I started digging with our hands. Then someone brought a shovel, and we dug with that, followed by a spade. We removed quite a bit of mud.
“We Did the Best We Could”
After a few minutes, rescue services, police, and ambulances arrived.
– We stayed a few more minutes, but so many people arrived that we felt redundant. We decided to leave the scene. It was a scary situation. My colleague and I did the best we could. You’re not trained for these things. A lot goes through your mind, says Per Åkesson, continuing:
– We feel very good considering the circumstances. We are processing this in our way – talking about what we saw and so on.
52 people were on board the bus – belonging to Linköping University.
Region Östergötland reports that a total of 17 people were taken to the hospital for treatment. Two people are reported to have serious but not life-threatening injuries.