Swiss tour bus crashes in Alps, killing 12

[UrbScotty]

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-switzerland-bus-crash,0,933009.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines

ORSIERES, Switzerland -- A Swiss tour bus carrying 27 people to a cruise ship in Italy plunged into an Alps ravine Sunday, killing 12 people and injuring 15, police said. Rescuers descended to the wreck on ropes to try to help the injured.

Valais state police said some passengers were thrown from the bus when it went out of control and rolled down a steep slope. The vehicle came to rest in a stream about 800 feet below the road, police spokesman Renato Kalbermatten said.

At least a dozen ambulances stood by while mountain guides and climbers used ropes to lower themselves to the bus, police said. Some of the passengers were trapped inside the bus, according to authorities.

It had been snowing in the area, but by the time rescuers arrived at the scene the road was only wet, Kalbermatten said. There might have been snow on the road when the accident occurred, he said.

[readmoreoften]

1. That is SO AWFUL!

I went to a university in Valais for 3 years. The cliffs are steep and terrifying and the roads are winding and dangerous. Man, that sucks.

[leftchick]

2. this is so tragic...

and having been on a tour bus in the Swiss Alps once long ago I find it even more terrifying. :(

[UrbScotty]

4. Be thankful you weren't there this weekend, right?

:scared:

[DS1]

3. Yet another nasty bug plunge

You'd think more would be done to strengthen the guard rails along such cliffs, even if their height cuts down on the view.