A bus and a truck collided Wednesday afternoon on Route 91, between the Mahanayim Junction and Kibbutz Gadot. Magen David Adom teams were called to the scene and found the 61-year-old bus driver trapped in the wreckage, unconscious and without a pulse or signs of breathing. After he was freed, medics pronounced him dead at the scene.

The truck driver, about 50, was seriously injured, with severe injuries to his lower limbs. He was unconscious when he was airlifted by MDA Rescue Air to a hospital for treatment. Eighteen bus passengers, young men around 20 years old, were lightly injured and taken by ambulance to Ziv Medical Center in Tzfas.

MDA emergency medical technician Gil Ad Ben Hamo described the scene: “It was a horrific traffic accident. The vehicles had very severe damage to their front ends. The bus driver was trapped and unconscious. While complex rescue operations were underway, we provided him with medical care, but unfortunately had to pronounce him dead at the scene. At the same time, we treated the truck driver and the 18 passengers who were on the bus.”

Police officers and traffic accident investigators are investigating the circumstances of the crash. Route 91 was closed in both directions. Police urged drivers to avoid the area, take alternate routes and follow officers instructions.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)