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Two passengers brought a tour bus to a halt after the 54-year-old driver lost consciousness on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway in Nanto, Toyama Prefecture, on Sunday.
The tour bus, carrying 14 passengers, was on its way from Seki city in Gifu Prefecture to a hot spring resort in Ishikawa Prefecture when the incident occurred at around 2:40 p.m. Sunday, Sankei Shimbun reported. As the bus veered over the center line, a passenger called out to the driver who had slumped over and lost consciousness.
One passenger called 119 to report they were in trouble, while two other passengers grabbed the steering wheel and brake. After about two kilometers, they were able to bring the bus to a halt.
Three passengers — two women in their 50s and a man in his 70s — sustained minor injuries, police said. The driver was taken to hospital where he was diagnosed as having suffered an acute subarachnoid hemorrhage. He remained unconscious on Monday, hospital officials said.
© Japan Today
5 Comments
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Disillusioned
In other words, he had a stroke. I'm in my 50's and the company I work for makes me take two medical checks per year, but I don't drive for a living. The bus companies in Japan really need to upgrade their driver screening and work practices.
Atari
This has happened before. There was even a re-enactment segment and interviews of the passengers on a tv show not too long ago. The way the bus is set up is that there is no clear view of the driver and they could have been cruising for kms before the bus started to veer off.
JonathanJo
With all the marvels in auto semi-automation, when are buses going to be fitted with technology that will stop the vehicle safely if the driver passes out? Ditto lorries.
Trapped
Indeed Atari. if you have the confidence, and the ability to stay awake, a front seat on these buses could be a lifesaver for everyone on board.
BackpackingNepal
Remember the Japanese movie Secret (1999), same incident happened during winter..and something very unusual thing happened, the incident also created some issues/debate among the driver's family, company and the victim's family.