contents
It was one of the worst bus accidents in Switzerland: a coach crashed in a tunnel. 28 people died.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012. Shortly after 9 p.m. in the evening, a Belgian coach drives into a motorway tunnel in Sierre, VS. In the middle of the tunnel, the bus went off course and crashed head-on into a concrete wall at the end of a passing area. The terrible record: 28 dead, including 22 children.
Schoolchildren from the Flemish cities of Lommel and Heverlee were on the bus. They were returning from their ski camp in the village of Saint-Luc in the Val d’Anniviers. At home, the parents looked forward to the return of their children. But then the anticipation gave way to horror. The following day the parents drive to Sierre. Long hours of anxious waiting follow and the hope that their own child may be among the survivors.
The Sierre bus accident – a look back
More than 200 rescue workers were on site at the time. They were able to save 24 children’s lives. But the traumatic images haunted many for years. Pastor Robert Zuber comforted the families at the time. Ten years later, he remembers that moment that he will never forget: “These are the faces of all these parents when they heard that their children were dead. At that moment her life was turned upside down. I still pray for these families today.”
Esther Waeber-Kalbermatten, then Valais Security Director, was awarded the Belgian Order of Leopold on behalf of the many helpers. The former state councilor remembers: “The parents in particular were very happy that we shielded them from the press in the hotel. So they could be here undisturbed for two or three days and visit their children in the hospital.”
cause unknown
The investigations by the Valais investigative authorities lasted three years. No maintenance deficiencies or technical defects could be found on the coach. The chauffeur hadn’t driven too fast either. The connection between a coronary heart disease in the bus driver was also examined. However, there was no concrete evidence of a connection with the accident.
Finally, the thesis that the driver had possibly committed suicide was also ruled out by the doctors. Although the chauffeur had taken an antidepressant, his doctor had made it clear that the dosage was low and his patient was not suicidal.
cessation of investigation
Ultimately, prosecutor Olivier Elsig announced: “After we have been able to rule out all possible external causes, the only remaining cause of the accident is a medical problem or inattentiveness from the chauffeur.”
For many parents, this was not a satisfactory answer. They took the case to federal court. However, the latter dismissed her complaint. Since the chauffeur himself died in the accident, no further charges could be brought against him. That justifies closing the case.
The accident is not forgotten
In March 2015 a monument was inaugurated at the Gerundensee in Sierre above the tunnel. An official memorial service will be held there this Sunday. Many family members are expected. They return to the place where their children were so unexpectedly and brutally taken from their lives ten years ago.
Why? This question is still relevant today. Pastor Robert Zuber’s answer: «There are things that one will perhaps only understand when one is with God oneself. Until then, there isn’t an answer for everything, and that often makes life more difficult.”