Four passengers were thrown from a bus that rolled completely over on a slippery road west of Steinavörn in South Iceland last night, with emergency services calling the outcome miraculous, reports RÚV.
The 20-passenger bus overturned off the main highway, and several passengers not wearing seatbelts. Dr. Elín Freyja Hauksdóttir, who responded to the scene, reported that four passengers claimed they were thrown out of the bus during the rollover and many sustained head injuries.
Emergency services transported seven passengers by air — four by helicopter to Selfoss emergency room and three by medical flight to Reykjavík. The Road Administration quickly deployed a snow plow with sand to prevent further icing.
Elín Freyja says that seatbelt use in buses could be improved, noting that those wearing seatbelts had almost no injuries. Emergency responders in South Iceland have long called for increased winter services, especially improved ice prevention. There is significant tourist traffic in the area and emergency responders may have to travel long distances. In January of last year, emergency responders themselves were involved in an accident due to icy conditions while returning from a call.
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