Burst tire may have caused fatal coach crash in Italy

ERJ staff report (LMH)

Milan, Italy – A burst tire may have caused the 28 July coach crash in southern Italy that killed at least 38 people after the bus fell 30 m from a viaduct, the Independent newspaper has reported.

The coach, which was carrying 48 holidaymakers from Naples, including children, lost control at approximately 8.30 pm local time near the town of Avellino, just outside Naples.

The Independent reported that the vehicle crashed into a car in front, causing a five-vehicle pile-up on a bridge section of the motorway before careering through the crash barrier and falling into a ravine.

Investigators said faulty braking may have contributed to the tragedy. However, the Independent said a burst tire was now seen as the most likely cause, after survivors referred to such an incident in the moments before the crash. A relative of one of the passengers reported that a tire on the left-hand side of the bus exploded and that the driver was unable to take control of the vehicle.

Prosecutors have opened a manslaughter investigation into the crash.

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Article from the Independent