Nine junior high school students sustained minor injuries when their bus collided with the central divider on the Kyushu Expressway in Kagoshima Prefecture.
On the morning of the 22nd at around 9:35 AM, a large bus carrying junior high school students from a sports club collided with the central divider on the upward line of the Kyushu Expressway in Kibako, Yusui Town, Kagoshima Prefecture. Out of 17 boys on board, nine were taken to the hospital; however, all injuries were identified as minor, and there were no admissions for hospitalization. The 68-year-old male driver from Kagoshima City did not suffer any injuries.
According to the Prefectural Police Highway Team, the location of the incident was on a gentle left curve while heading from Kurino Interchange to Ebino Interchange. The bus was in the overtaking lane when it collided with the guardrail on the right side. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the accident to determine what went wrong during the journey.
This incident raises concerns about safety measures for transporting school children, especially during sports events, as buses can often travel in heavy traffic conditions. The expression of concern from parents and school representatives is likely to prompt a review of safety protocols to ensure the well-being of students in future outings, highlighting the importance of thorough training and adherence to driving regulations for bus drivers in the region.
