AT LEAST 17 people were killed and more than 35 seriously injured in a horror crash between a school bus and a truck with a reported drunk driver at the wheel.
The shocking smash took place about six miles outside the Honduran capital Tegucigalpa, revealed police transport deputy inspector Carlos Espana.
He said 14 people died at the scene of the accident, while three more died from their injuries in hospital.
The driver of the van said to have caused the tragedy was arrested for apparent drunkenness after attempting to flee the scene of the crash.
“Several people who attended him confirmed that they felt the smell of intoxicating drinks” said a representative of the Red Cross at the scene.
Among those killed was bus conductor Gustavo Ariel Euceda who was 23 years old.
Most of those that had died has suffered horrific head injuries, reported doctors on the scene.
Many of the bodies have now been taken to a local morgue where they await formal identification.
The bus was believed to have been carrying round 60 passengers when it was hit by the blue truck.
Worried relatives gathered outside local hospitals fearing the worst.
One told reporters: “We are all desperate for news but we have been told nothing.”
Another added: “They called me and told me my daughter had been brought here but I don’t know how she is.”
According to police reports the bus was climbing a hill at 9am when it rolled at speed and collided with the bus.
Just last week, dozens were injured when another truck smashed into a public bus in the north of the country.
Traffic accidents are the second leading cause of a violent death in Honduras after murder.
