Deadly school bus accident in Afyon: Vehicle owner released
* Families of the deceased children denounce the court ruling (Photo and news: AA)
Click to read the article in Turkish
The trial over the deadly school bus accident that claimed the lives of five students in Afyon's İscehisar continued today (March 14).
Held at the Afyonkarahisar 1st High Criminal Court, the hearing was attended by arrested defendants Adalettin Ş., the driver of the school bus, İsmail D., the owner of the vehicle, plaintiffs and lawyers.
Defendant İsmail D. argued that he did not have negligence in the accident and requested his release and acquittal. Driver Adalettin Ş. said that he is sorry about the accident, that his psychology has been shattered after the accident and that he cannot eat or sleep.
The lawyers of the plaintiffs requested that an examination be carried out at the scene of the incident.
Defendant Adalettin Ş.'s lawyer stated that the road where the accident happened was a winding and gravel road and that high speed was also effective in the accident, but the deaths and injuries happened after the vehicle hit the pine tree on the roadside.
The court board has ruled that arrested vehicle owner İsmail D. shall be released and driver Adalettin Ş. shall remain arrested.
'Pine tree, bush found guilty'
Fatih Demirel, who lost his daughter Melisa Nur Demirel in the accident, denounced the release of the vehicle owner, noting that the trial is not going as they were expecting. Addressing reporters, Demirel said, "The murderers of our children walk around freely in front of all grieving families. While we thought that justice would be served at this court, we have faced the exact opposite. A pine tree, a bush has been found guilty."
Fadime Tek, whose son Hakan Tek was injured in the accident, said "they do not accept that everyone at the court says they are innocent".
Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Afyon MP Burcu Köksal also supported the families by attending the hearing.
What happened?
After a school minibus rolled over in Ayfon's İscehisar district on October 11, five children lost their lives and five children were injured.
Driven by A.Ş. (53), the minibus was carrying primary school children. Surviving the accident with minor wounds, a child walked nearly a kilometer to a nearby village and informed the villagers about the accident.
İsmail (11), Nisa (14) and Teslime Eser (13), Melisa Demirel (14) and Damla Duran (11) lost their lives in the accident.
Surviving the accident, driver A.Ş. was detained by the gendarmerie. Referred to the İscehisar Courthouse under tight security measures, A.Ş. was arrested by the criminal judgeship of peace on charge of "causing the death and injury of more than one person by negligence. The owner of the vehicle İsmail D. was also arrested over the accident. (AÖ/SD)
