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ISTANBUL (AA) – Eleven people were wounded after a metrobus in Kadikoy, Istanbul left its dedicated traffic lane early Friday, a source from the governor's office said.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said the accident happened when a passenger used an umbrella to attack the driver, who then lost control of the wheel.
According to witnesses who asked not to be named, the passenger and driver had quarreled about opening the door.
Serdar Cengel, a commuter, told Anadolu Agency, “After the driver lost control, the metrobus drove into the road, and crashed into two cars, knocking them aside, and smashed some cars. If it hadn’t run into a double-decker bus, it would have caused a tragedy.”
Nurettin Tokac, who drives a minibus also damaged in the accident, said, “A metrobus suddenly appeared in front of me. First it crashed into a car. I veered left and got away but it hit the rear.”
The accident took place on Istanbul’s European side in Kadikoy, at the Acibadem stop.
The alleged umbrella-wielding passenger, identified as Murat A., is being questioned by police, said a security source who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
According to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the metrobus crushed three cars and hit a bus on the Acibadem-Kadikoy route on Istanbul’s Asian side.
"An investigation into the accident is underway," said a municipality statement.