A crash between an SUV and a bus left the driver dead and 11 students injured.

Tragedy struck at dawn in Oderzo, in the province of Treviso. An SUV collided with a bus loaded with students, causing the the death of the driver of the car, an 85-year-old man, and the injuries of 11 children and the bus driver. The accident occurred around 7.45, on the outskirts of town, along a stretch of road that runs alongside a ditch.

According to an initial reconstruction by the Carabinieri, the car, driven by Germano De Luca, 85, resident of Fregona, allegedly crossed into the opposite lane immediately after a bend. The Atvo transport company bus, in service on the school line that goes from San Donà di Piave to Oderzo, he could not avoid the impact. After the collision, Both vehicles went off the road, ending up in ditches on opposite sides of the road.

On the spot were attended by i Firefighters from the Motta di Livenza and Treviso detachments, six ambulances, and the Suem 118 helicopter. Unfortunately, there was nothing that could be done for the driver: he died instantly due to the serious injuries he sustained. From the first investigations it emerged that De Luca was driving without a license: his driving license had expired in August and had not been renewed due to his lack of medical requirements. The suspension was formalized last October 15th.

The bus driver, injured but conscious, he managed to keep calm and save the boys. After the impact, He opened the top hatch of the vehicle to allow them to exit safely. “Although I was injured, although not seriously, Our driver was calm and prompt, thinking first and foremost of the safety of the boys.", declared the president of the Atvo company, Stefano Cerchier. “I would like to express my sincere thanks to him” he added “he tried in every way to avoid the terrible impact and then followed the procedures established for the safety of the passengers. Our thoughts go to the family of the deceased: “we join in their pain.”

All the The students and the bus driver were taken to the emergency room in Treviso. and discharged the same day with minor bruises. The two vehicles were placed under seizure to allow for technical investigations and to establish the exact dynamics of the accident.