Guatemalan Bus Plunges From Hairpin Turn, Killing at Least 43

Some tragedies should be reserved for the movies. There are staple images of gruesome shark attacks, terrible car wrecks and gun spray that are synonymous with Hollywood’s most profitable features. People now describe unworldly events as “something out of the movies,” and it’s when those movie moments transcend reality, that tragedy often strikes.

At least 43 people were killed and dozens injured after a bus drove off a cliff on a tight turn in rural Guatemala, falling roughly 660 feet into a river at the bottom of the deep ravine, according to The Guardian. More than 40 people were rushed to hospitals to receive immediate treatment.

Rescuers said the bus fell from the paved highway about 37 miles northwest of Guatemala city. It had been travelling south towards the city, and although the conditions were dry and mostly sunny, the bus was likely over capacity. “The bus was overloaded,” said Sergio Vasquez, a volunteer firefighter at the site of the crash. He added that 38 people died in the accident, including six children and 12 women. Five others died in the hospital despite doctors’ urgent efforts.

Although the tight, winding roads that paint the mountainscape remain extremely unsafe for drivers of any skill level, this bus crash marks the first in recent memory for Guatemala. The last major bus accident occurred in 2008 when an overcrowded bus fell from the treacherous highway down a 15-meter slope, killing 53 passengers.

Images of a toppling bus rolling down a harsh slope is one generally reserved for Hollywood. It’s an image we take with a grain of salt as it’s embedded in our common perception. But when it occurs in real life, a life without set design and stunt doubles, it hits home. It reminds us of the tragedy that lurks behind every corner and that every day is a blessing.