‘Mechanical faults to blame’ for deadly mountain crash

MECHANICAL faults were to blame for the mini-bus accident that killed seven people near Moniatis 10 days ago, a technical committee probe has reportedly found.

According to Phileleftheros, the mini-bus involved in the deadly accident had burnt-out brake pads and a faulty handbrake, clutch and rear tyre.

The paper yesterday revealed what it said were the findings of a committee of experts set up by the Communications Ministry to examine the wreckage of the December 30 accident.

Police spokesman Stelios Neophytou yesterday said he could not comment on the Phileleftheros story, as the committee’s report had been forwarded to the Attorney-general’s office and the case could end up in court.

Seven people, including a four-year-old boy, lost their lives when the mini-bus smashed into a concrete crash barrier on a sharp bend on the Platres to Moniatis road in the Troodos mountains.

The three-man committee reportedly found that the mini-bus’s clutch was found in neutral after the accident, suggesting the driver had been relying on brakes alone to slow the bus as it neared the bend. Witnesses reported seeing smoke and sparks pouring off the wheels of the mini-bus as it went towards the bend.

The committee apparently found evidence that the bus’s brakes had "burnt out" during the accident. But evidence was also found of many pre-existing mechanical faults, Phileleftheros reported.

The vehicle’s clutch was worn, the hand-brake not working properly and one of the rear tyres almost worn through.

Communications Minister Averoff Neophytou has promised measures to deal with the bend on which the crash took place, which is known locally as "death bend."

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