A tragic accident on Farstabron, Värmdö, claimed the lives of a bus driver and a car driver, leading to a heartfelt memorial service at Hammarbykyrkan. The bus driver, a dedicated member of the church choir, was remembered for his warmth and kindness. The incident has prompted a police investigation into potential gross negligence.
Tragedy Strikes Värmdö: Bus Driver's Death Mourned in Church
Tragedy Strikes Värmdö: Bus Driver's Death Mourned in Church
Sunday's service at Hammarbykyrkan was marked by the sorrow following the bus driver's death in the Farstabron accident.
On Thursday morning, a bus and a car collided on Farstabron in Värmdö, east of Stockholm. Both vehicles caught fire, resulting in the deaths of the car driver and the bus driver, who was alone in the SL bus.
According to Aftonbladet, several witnesses reported being overtaken by the car at high speed before the accident. One witness stated that the car veered into the wrong lane and crashed into the bus.
The bus driver worked for Nobina.
– This is a very difficult and dark day for public transport and for us and all colleagues, said Nobina's press officer David Erixon on Thursday.
Planned Service
Outside of work, the man was involved in Hammarbykyrkan and its choir. The priest position is currently vacant, so the bus driver had asked his friend, retired pastor Anders Novak, to lead Sunday's service.
– On Monday (August 25, editor's note) I received an email where he had written an agenda for the service, who would say what, and so on. On Sunday morning, I was informed that he had died. I was completely shocked, says Anders Novak.
The service was marked by mourning.
– There was a warm and moving reception of the news that he had passed away. A member of the congregation gave a eulogy at the beginning of the service. Then I shared my memories. There was a beautiful atmosphere in the church. We lit candles and remembered him.
“I Leaned on Him”
Anders Novak met the bus driver when they both sang bass in a choir.
– I always leaned on him because he had such a sure sense of pitch. When he didn't come to choir rehearsals, I got very nervous. He was a very caring and warm person, he says.
After Thursday's accident, the police launched a preliminary investigation into gross negligence causing another's death and gross traffic negligence. Both the car and the bus were seized for technical examination.
READ MORE: Nobina after the fatal accident: “A dark day”
READ MORE: Municipality's demands on the Swedish Transport Administration after the fatal accident