The King and Queen of Spain attended the funeral of 14 residents of Bullas this morning, Monday, who died when their bus crashed off the road at the Venta de Olivas at 11.20pm on Saturday night.
The bus, owned by the Calasparrian company, José Ruiz Campos, was heading from Bullas to Calasparra on the RM 714 when it careered off the road and fell 20 metres down an embankment, crashing onto level ground.
Motorists stopped their cars to go the aid of the victims, the majority of whom were elderly women, and called the emergency services. The emergency services took just two hours to evacuate the victims, many of whom were found dead at the scene.
The bus had been on the return journey to Bullas from Madrid after its 55 passengers and two drivers had visited the convent of Madre Maravillas. A second coach arrived in Bullas safely.
Work to raise the vehicle with a giant crane was underway by Sunday morning when there had been concerns more bodies may be discovered. The death toll increased from 13 to 14 over Sunday night as a gravely ill victim also died. Among the dead is the vicar of the parish of Bullas, aged 36 years. Some 36 injured victims have been hospitalised in Cieza, Hellín and Caravaca.
This is the worst bus accident in the region of Murcia since 2001. The reasons for the accident are under investigation but most of the press is reporting excess speed as a factor. The bus driver has been arrested.
The King and Queen of Spain and the President of Spain attended the funeral to show their support and solidarity for the victims and their families.
