A bus carrying 20 passengers plunged into a river in St Petersburg, killing at least seven people, Russian media report, with terrifying footage showing the moment it crashed into a car and fell off the bridge.
The out-of-control vehicle was seen swerving along the road, crashing into oncoming traffic before crashing into the bridge fence and falling into the Moika River.
The stunned passersby ran over bus number 262, which was submerged and only the roof was visible above the water.
Emergency services attended the scene and carried out a quick rescue operation. Six people are said to have been hospitalized and the death toll currently stands at seven, although figures vary.
The driver was reportedly arrested and questioned by police, and authorities say they are still trying to establish what happened.
The bus crossed the bridge barrier and sank into the river, as the images show
Stunned bystanders ran over as the bus became submerged, leaving only the roof visible above the water.
Searches are said to be continuing in the river after this morning’s accident, and the bus remained submerged.
Brave locals were seen jumping into the river and standing on the roof of the bus as they tried to pull the victims out of the sinking vehicle.
Passersby threw lifebuoys at them to assist in rescue efforts, while a passing boat also stopped nearby.
Rescuers are believed to have pulled eight people alive through the roof hatch of the bus.
Another ten went out alone and were later picked up by rescue boats on the Moika River, according to reports.
Reports said the driver was among those who escaped and was immediately detained, with a criminal case open.
Russian media reported that no one was left on the bus after the lightning-fast rescue operation. Despite this, searches in the river continue.
Authorities did not say how many people were on board, but Russian media, citing witnesses, reported there were about 20 passengers.
Witnesses suggested that the bus was damaged and that caused the accident. He reportedly crashed into a pickup truck before plunging into the river.
The vehicle was seen swerving along the road, crashing into oncoming traffic before falling into the river.
St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov said an interagency operation was underway that he personally coordinated.
He added that the victims of the accident received “immediate assistance.”
The city transport committee reported that the bus driver lost control when turning from Bolshaya Morskaya Street onto the Potseluev “Kissing” bridge.
‘The bus turned around, broke the fence and fell into the water. Employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and an ambulance are working at the scene,” he added.
The crowd watched as rescuers continued searching the river after the horror accident.
‘Representatives of the transporter and the management of the transport commission were also sent to the scene. “All victims will receive the necessary assistance.”
A witness said he saw the bus swerve before the collision. He started hitting the cars that were parked. “Everything happened quickly,” the man said of the driver.
A student called Mikhail said: ‘I saw the moment when the bus hit the car, spun and started to fall.
“The bus went sideways, hit the curb, broke a fence and fell on its side.”
Another witness said: “The bus driver, turning from Bolshaya Morskaya Street towards the Potseluyev Bridge, lost control, the bus spun, broke the fence and fell into the water.”