ORLANDO, Fla. – A Lynx commuter bus overturned Tuesday on Interstate 4 at Orange Blossom Trail, injuring the passengers on board, officials said.
The bus overturned around 11:30 a.m. in the westbound lanes. All westbound lanes were back open by 2 p.m.
According to a preliminary report from Lynx, the bus driver, Steven Silva, entered the left lane slightly due to a shift in the road and when he tried to reestablish his position, he overcorrected.
"As a result, he lost control of the vehicle and performed several hard turns to regain control of the vehicle. He was unable to regain control of the bus and the vehicle skidded into the concrete barrier located on the inside of the lane," the report stated.
The impact from the crash caused the bus to flip on its side and skid on the concrete. The road was wet at the time and the road surface changed from asphalt to concrete right before the location where the crash happened.
The speed limit was 50 mph and Silva was driving between 52 and 56 mph, records show.
Orlando Fire Department officials said nine patients were taken to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Sky 6 aerial video showed people sitting and standing on the side of I-4 near the crash site.
Hazmat crews were called to the area to clean an oil leak, fire officials tweeted. The Lynx bus was towed away by 1:40 p.m.
Multiple people stopped to help the crash victims before first responders arrived.
One good Samaritan, who asked not to be identified, saw the crash, kicked the emergency hatch open and helped get people out. The man said the bus driver was lying on the floor and was more concerned for his passengers.
"He was really concerned for his passengers and getting them out," the good Samaritan said.
SERVICE ALERT: Due to an accident on I-4 westbound at OBT, you may experience some delays on Links 38, 50 and 441. Thank you for your patience as we detour this area.
— LYNX (@lynxbusorlando) October 1, 2019
The bus sustained minor damage to its exterior. Brakes were recently installed and the front tires were new at the time of the crash.
News 6 reporter Nadeen Yanes shared the video below from the crash site.
LYNX BUS CRASH: I-4 WB near OBT
Posted by Nadeen Yanes News 6 on Tuesday, October 1, 2019
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