A delightful five-day excursion to Puerto Vallarta turned into a harrowing experience for 40 lakesiders when their tour bus crashed while traveling homeward on Friday, February 22.
The accident occurred about 40 minutes into the return trip as the bus rounded a curve and suddenly came up behind a line of vehicles backed up at the speed bumps outside the village of San Ignacio.
Unable to brake in time, the driver was forced to swerve onto the shoulder to avoid a collision. The bus came to an abrupt stop as a front tire hit an earth embankment, throwing it off kilter until it tipped over onto the driver’s side.
About 17 of the passengers sustained injuries as they were thrown out of their seats. Others were badly shaken by the shock. Most were able to evacuate the bus through a roof hatch or via the windshield that was busted out by fast-acting bystanders.
“The driver was not speeding. He did everything he could, finding a wide space to pull off the highway,” said Canadian passenger Tymofichuk, who was watching the roadway when the incident happened.
“There was a tanker truck in the middle of the traffic jam just ahead, so it could have been much, much worse,” he recalled.
Police, ambulances and emergency assistance reached the scene within 20 minutes. All passengers were transported back to Puerto Vallarta where medical staff at the Ameri-Med Hospital were on alert to receive the injured and give thorough evaluations of any who so desired.
The most seriously injured traveler was an elderly gentlemen in his 90s who suffered several broken ribs and a punctured lung. At mid-week he was still recovering in the hospital, remaining under observation until considered well enough to return home.
Several other patients stayed overnight along with their spouses or companions.
They were delivered home the following day in a tour van arranged by Viajes Ajijic, the travel agency that booked the beach tour.
The rest of the group boarded a replacement bus that departed late Friday afternoon.
Viajes Ajijic staff were awaiting their arrival around 1 a.m. to drive each one straight to their doorsteps.
Immediate medical attention, follow-up care at a Guadalajara hospital, and incidentals have been covered under an insurance policy written up for the tour.
Tymofichuk is among many passengers who are commending Viajes Ajijic for handling the unfortunate incident in an attentive and professional manner.
“We were treated very well. Despite everything, it was still a great trip,” he observed.