False Information About Bus Drivers and Accidents Spreads Online
Colleagues Say "A Person of Responsibility, Dedication, and Service"
False information related to the flooding disaster at Gungpyeong 2 Underpass in Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, which resulted in over 20 casualties, is being indiscriminately spread online.
On the 16th, 119 rescue workers searched for missing persons at Gungpyeong 2 Underpass in Osong-eup, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, which was flooded due to the collapse of the Miho Stream embankment.
On the 17th, on social networking services (SNS) and some online communities, false claims about the express bus No. 747 involved in the flooding accident have been widely circulated and reproduced, such as "The bus changed its route without permission, which worsened the accident," "If it had followed the original route, the accident would not have happened," "The bus driver abandoned the passengers and escaped alone," and "The bus driver is alive."
However, all these claims are false.
The express bus driver, Mr. Lee (58), is known to have followed detour instructions given by the Cheongju City Public Transportation Department and the bus company due to nearby road closures.
According to Mr. Lee’s colleagues, the accident bus was heading from Cheongju International Airport to Osong Station along its original route. However, due to a road closure near Miho River Bridge, they were instructed to operate via Gungpyeong 2 Underpass to reach Osong Station.
Unable to use the flooded road, Mr. Lee proceeded toward Gungpyeong 2 Underpass.
At that time, it is reported that the Gungpyeong 2 Underpass was not yet flooded, nor was there a traffic ban in place.
As the express bus driven by Mr. Lee reached the exit of Gungpyeong 2 Underpass, nearly 60,000 tons of water suddenly poured in, and the bus was instantly sucked into the underpass.
Mr. Lee’s colleagues say, "He was a person with a strong sense of duty, responsibility, and spirit of service."
On the 16th, 119 rescue workers are recovering a missing person found deceased at the Gungpyeong 2 Underpass in Osong-eup, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, which was flooded due to the collapse of the Miho River embankment. [Image source=Yonhap News]
It is also reported that at the time of the accident, Mr. Lee told the passengers to "break the windows and escape." After helping 4 to 5 passengers escape, he returned to break the windows again to rescue the remaining passengers but tragically died in the process.
One of Mr. Lee’s colleagues told Yonhap News Agency, "He was a diligent friend who came to work at 3 a.m. to clean the office even though his shift started at 5:30 a.m. He joined the city bus company 10 years ago and recently received the highest nationwide passenger safety rating. It is very unfortunate."
He added that the No. 747 express bus driven by Mr. Lee was a vehicle that only veteran drivers with extensive experience were allowed to operate.
Meanwhile, at Gungpyeong 2 Underpass in Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, where the accident occurred, 17 vehicles including city buses were submerged by river water that flowed in after the nearby Miho River embankment burst around 8:40 a.m. on the 15th.
Immediately after the accident, 9 people were miraculously rescued at the scene.
So far, 14 people have died in this accident, including the bus driver and 6 passengers, and 9 others have been injured.
Investigators estimate that there may still be missing persons inside the underpass.
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