A tragic accident on Värmdö has claimed the lives of two men following a head-on collision between a bus and a car. The bus, operated by Nobina, was empty of passengers at the time. The incident has prompted an investigation by both Nobina and the police, focusing on potential gross negligence. Nobina's press chief, David Erixon, emphasizes the importance of the bus's safety system, which prevented an explosion despite the dramatic fire.
Tragic Collision on Värmdö: Nobina Responds to Fatal Accident
Tragic Collision on Värmdö: Nobina Responds to Fatal Accident
Two men have died following a head-on collision between a bus and a car on Värmdö. One of the deceased was a bus driver for Nobina.
"It is a dark day for public transport," says the company's press chief, David Erixon. He also explains what caused the fiery scene.
The alarm about the accident came around 09:30 on Thursday. A passenger car and one of SL's buses had collided head-on on the Farsta Bridge on Värmdöleden outside Stockholm.
Shortly thereafter, a significant fire broke out at the scene.
"The flames just burst out. People jumped out of their cars and ran to help," witness Ann told Expressen.
Two Men Dead on Värmdö
The bus was empty of passengers, but the driver, who was on his way back to the depot, died in the accident.
The car driver also perished.
According to the police, the victims are two middle-aged men.
"This is a very difficult and dark day for public transport and for us and all colleagues," says David Erixon, press chief at Nobina, which operates SL's buses in areas including Nacka and Värmdö.
He continues:
"Thankfully, accidents are very rare, but when they happen, they hit hard. Therefore, we have crisis teams at our depots to support people."
Police Investigate the Accident
Nobina will now investigate the incident and is cooperating with the police, who have launched a preliminary investigation into gross negligence causing death and gross traffic negligence.
David Erixon says it is important for the investigation to proceed, and he currently does not know the exact sequence of events.
"But what we know is that two vehicles at high speeds collided head-on, and in connection with that, a fire broke out and spread."
Safety System Behind the Fire
The press chief cannot answer, and does not want to speculate on, the cause of the fire or where it started, but says the buses have a safety system that was activated in this case.
"The valves on the gas tank release gas, and that's what you see as these torches of fire."
"The images look very dramatic, but it's important to understand that it's a safety system that has done what it is designed to do: it vents the gas to prevent an explosion. And we can state today that the safety system, at least on the bus, has worked."
According to David Erixon, Nobina's focus is now on supporting its staff.
"Our thoughts go to the relatives and colleagues and to these two drivers who have died," he says.