A video capturing the dramatic rescue of the driver from the Transtur Habana bus that crashed on Wednesday in Santiago de Cuba has been shared on Facebook by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta.
The footage shows six men, including some firefighters, lifting the injured driver onto a stretcher and carrying him to the highway, while someone can be heard shouting, "A car, a car!" The driver, identified as Henry Yanes Díaz, 36, from El Cotorro, Havana, is the most seriously injured of the nine victims. Authorities reported that he was in critical condition and fighting for his life on the day of the accident, and there have been no updates on his condition since.
The accident occurred on the National Highway, between Irijoa and Arroyo Blanco. The bus, carrying 40 Cuban travelers from Havana to Santiago, collided with a trailer truck belonging to the Union Electrica heading towards Contramaestre. Following the impact, the bus crashed into a house.
Mayeta also shared images of the bus's aftermath, which was removed from the scene by firefighters on Wednesday. The most significant damage was at the front of the vehicle.
Background of the Incident
The reporter explained that the bus was transporting passengers from the Jose Marti National Airport to Santiago de Cuba because their Havana-Santiago flight was canceled due to a mechanical issue with the plane, which was grounded on the eastern city's runway.
The passengers departed the capital in three buses rented by Cubana de Aviacion. The first of these buses was the one involved in the accident between the municipalities of Contramaestre and Palma Soriano.
"The buses assigned for this transport began leaving after 6:20 PM on Tuesday from Terminal 1 of Jose Marti Airport. They didn't depart earlier because they were in the workshop and then had to refuel," Mayeta detailed.
"The severely injured driver, after leaving the workshop, only had time to reach his home, take a shower as he was covered in grease, and head to the airport, where he picked up the first group of passengers, which included parents with children and elderly individuals," he added.
In addition to the driver, another passenger, Ricardo Matos Reyes, 58, from Guantanamo, is reported to be in serious condition but not life-threatening. The other seven injured passengers sustained minor injuries.
All victims were treated at the Juan Bautista General Hospital in Palma Soriano, with the two severely injured individuals being placed in intensive care.
As of now, the causes of the accident have not been disclosed.
FAQs on the Santiago de Cuba Bus Accident
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding the recent bus accident in Santiago de Cuba, which involved a Transtur Habana bus and resulted in several injuries.
Who was the driver involved in the Santiago de Cuba bus accident?
The driver involved was Henry Yanes Díaz, a 36-year-old resident of El Cotorro, Havana.
What caused the bus accident in Santiago de Cuba?
The specific causes of the accident have not yet been disclosed by authorities.
How many people were injured in the accident?
Nine people were injured, with two in serious condition and seven sustaining minor injuries.
Where were the injured taken for treatment?
All injured individuals were taken to the Juan Bautista General Hospital in Palma Soriano.