A Länstrafiken line 12 bus traveling from Skellefteå to Umeå ended up in a ditch. The line is operated by Connect Bus for länstrafiken.
Ann-Kristin Gulle, traffic area manager north at Connect Bus, confirmed that nine passengers were on board when the bus veered off the road. Earlier reports to Norran incorrectly stated that the bus was empty.
All passengers escaped without injury and were transported to Umeå, according to Gulle.
The incident occurred due to the driver experiencing an acute medical condition, which Gulle clarified was not life-threatening.
In a separate incident, another Connect Bus driver recently suffered an acute illness and also drove a bus into a ditch on the E4 highway. This incident shares several similarities with today's accident.
Gulle emphasized that these are two isolated events and there is no cause for immediate concern.
Norran's reporter on site, Melker Westerberg, spoke to one of the passengers who wished to remain anonymous.
The passenger described the incident:
– I was sitting on the ground floor at the back. It felt like the bus was sliding on the roundabouts, but it kept going. I had a sense that something was about to happen. It swayed violently and then, with a bang, the bus went into the ditch. It was at quite a speed.
The passenger also mentioned that the bus doors were blocked by snow after the accident.
– But then some very kind people came and kicked open the front door, allowing us to escape. Everyone was able to get out safely.