As of: April 6, 2024, 7:14 p.m
By: Moritz Bletzinger
Comments
Press
Split
What happened on board the Flixbus before it crashed on the A9? A passenger speaks to IPPEN.MEDIA about arguments between the drivers and speeding.
Munich – The bus sways, trucks honk. Ashley A. takes off the headphones, she gets scared. And a few minutes later her terrible premonition was confirmed. The Flixbus came off the A9 in front of the Schkeuditzer Kreuz near Leipzig, crashed into an embankment and tipped to the side. Four people died and six were seriously injured.
Passenger of Flixbus accident speaks about disputes between drivers and “reckless speed”
Ashley A. (name changed) was on board the Death Flixbus for her move from Berlin to Munich. The young student escaped with bruises and scratches on her face, and two women next to her died. The images stay in your head. At
IPPEN.MEDIA,
Ashley reports on traumatic scenes, arguments among drivers and “reckless” speeding.
Eyewitness to Flixbus accident speaks at IPPEN.MEDIA
The passenger contacted our editorial team to talk about the circumstances of the accident on the A9. To prove that she was really on board, she presented her ticket and ID card. Her name is known to the editorial team, but has been changed for reporting purposes.
Even before the departure from Berlin (planned at 8:00 a.m.) it became apparent that the journey towards Zurich could be adventurous, says Ashley: “It was already 8:10 a.m. and the second driver was missing. Then he arrived with a coffee in his hand.” And that’s when the argument started. “That made the other driver really angry. From then on they audibly argued in the cockpit. The whole time. Until the accident.” Fellow passengers in the lower compartment of the double-decker apparently noticed this well; another passenger also reported to the
Leipziger Volkszeitung
about an argument between the drivers .
“Anger, stress and reckless driving”: Flixbus passenger suspects that arguments played a role
Ashley doesn't know what exactly caused the accident near Leipzig. However, she strongly suspects that the squabbling in the cockpit may have played a role. “The first driver was angry with his colleague because they were behind schedule because of him. The result: anger, stress and reckless driving.”
Shortly before the Schkeuditzer Kreuz, the Flixbus left the road and overturned on its side in the adjacent embankment. © Christian Grube/Imago
The Flixbus driver is said to have hit the brakes hard at the first traffic light in Berlin. According to Ashley, the passengers were repeatedly shaken. According to the student, hard braking actions in the city followed, as did “aggressive” lane changes on the highway. “Several trucks were honking at the bus because the driver was cutting them,” says Ashley. “He was ruthless.”
My news
Long imprisonment threatens: proceedings against Scheuer regarding the toll disaster probably shortly before the decision is read
Many pensioners are entitled to more pension points - but these are only available upon application
Tax return 2023: From this amount onwards, pensioners have to pay taxes
German grocery chain is insolvent: read “Moral apostles who want to save the world”.
“No miracle weapon” against Putin: NATO doubts F-16 fighter jets as a panacea in the Ukraine war read
Satellite images reveal: Russia's army is preparing Black Sea ports against drone surveillance
She is certain: “His anger and emotions influenced his driving style. And it doesn't take much for an accident, especially in a biplane. Aggression affects how well you control things.”
After an accident on the A9: Bus boss blames victims – passenger outraged
Ashley hopes that the investigation into the cause of the Flixbus accident will continue at full speed. It went to the press after the boss of the bus company “Umbrella” blamed the passengers for their own deaths. “That makes me so angry,” says the 28-year-old, “no one takes responsibility. It's so unfair that there are no consequences - at least none yet. And you certainly don’t point the finger at the passengers.”
According to IPPEN.MEDIA
's request, Flixbus itself refers
to the ongoing investigations and cooperation with the police. The company therefore cannot and does not wish to comment on witness statements at this time. The subcontractor “Umbrella” also made a similar statement upon request.
“Every accident that has occurred and every single person injured is one too many,” said a Flixbus statement about the accident. Statistically, coaches are still one of the safest means of road transport in Germany, and accidents cannot be completely prevented.
Trauma after Flixbus accident on the A9: “I have flashbacks”
Ashley can't finish it yet either. What she experienced about a week ago on the A9 will probably stay with her for the rest of her life, even if she seems tough when we talk to her. “I’m having flashbacks to the accident. I clung to the wall on a public bus. And others are likely to be even worse off. A handful of girls cried for hours after the accident.”
“The girl next to me died, she was sleeping when the accident occurred. “A man had apparently dislocated his shoulder and was screaming like crazy, another girl was covered in blood on her face,” says Ashley. She was lucky herself, sitting on the left side of the bus, which had tipped over onto its right side. “I crawled out of the bus through the back window over people and seats.”
“I will never get on a Flixbus again”: Passenger makes clear decision after accident near Leipzig
She praises the rescue workers. “The first helpers were there five minutes after the call. They took excellent care of everyone and took most of them to a hospital in Leipzig for follow-up examinations.” The university offered the student a break. Not an option for the young exchange student at the moment, she turned down the offer and wants to get back to life. One thing is certain for Ashley: “I will never get on a Flixbus again.”
(moe)