41 Hurt as Israeli Tour Bus Hired by U.S. Group Hits Tree
The brakes failed today on a tour bus hired by the U.S.-based Jewish National Fund and the vehicle hit a tree, injuring at least 41 people, Israel radio reported.
It was not immediately known whether Americans were among the injured.
The crash occurred in the Jerusalem hills, the radio said. It said five people were seriously injured, including the bus driver, who went through the windshield in the crash.
“We were going down the hill, and suddenly the driver lost the brakes completely,” passenger David Singer told Israel radio. “We had no way of stopping the bus.
“The bus driver saved our lives by veering into the tree. He was fantastic,” Singer said.
Officials at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, where many of the injured were treated, refused to speak to reporters.
The Jewish National Fund is a group that raises money for Israel.
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