Minibus carrying agricultural workers crashes into ditch, injuring 24
A minibus carrying seasonal agricultural workers overturned into a ditch in the Harmankaya area of Cumayeri district, causing injuries to 24 people, including children. The accident occurred when the minibus, driven by Ş.A., went out of control due to brake failure.
Emergency response teams, including health, gendarmerie, fire department, and Provincial Disaster and Emergency Directorate (AFAD), were dispatched to the scene upon notification of the accident. The injured were provided with first aid on-site before being taken to hospitals for further treatment.
Three critically injured individuals were taken to Atatürk State Hospital and Düzce University Faculty of Medicine Education, Research and Practice Hospital, while eight have been discharged, and the rest are still receiving medical care.
Cumayeri District Governor Taha Furkan Sönmezel and Mayor Mustafa Koloğlu visited the scene to investigate the incident. Koloğlu mentioned that, according to the driver’s statement, the minibus overturned into a ditch from a 50-meter height due to brake failure.
Fortunately, no lives were lost in the accident. Koloğlu expressed his hopes for a speedy recovery for all the injured individuals. The seasonal agricultural workers were returning to their hometowns after completing hazelnut collection work in the Kocaali district of Sakarya.
The authorities are conducting further investigations to determine the cause of the accident and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
