The Duque de Caxias Futebol Clube regretted the accident suffered by the delegation of Esporte Clube Vila Maria Helena, a football team from Duque de Caxias (RJ), early this Monday (30), on BR-116, in Além Paraíba, Minas Gerais General. The delegation was returning from the National Cup, played in Ubaporanga, also in Minas Gerais.
In the accident with the bus, which fell from a height of 10 meters and ended up upside down into a creek, four people died – three teenagers aged between 14 and 17 years old – and one adult. Twenty-nine people were injured.
In a note, Duque de Caxias, a club from Baixada Fluminense, informs that it has decreed seven days of mourning and expresses solidarity with athletes, coaching staff, friends and family of the victims. “As a result, all base category activities scheduled for this week have been suspended, and the club declares seven-day mourning”, says the text.
The four dead were all members of the under-20 football team of Esporte Clube Vila Maria Helena, which was champion in the under-18 category and runner-up in the under-16 category of the National Cup.
In Leopoldina, the Federal Highway Police (PRF) reported that some of the injured passengers were taken out of the creek in serious condition. The victims were rescued in hospitals in Leopoldina and Além Paraíba.
According to the City Hall of Além Paraíba, 22 people are being treated at the São Salvador hospital – two adults, including a 19-year-old and 20 under-18s. “Four patients require special care, and three teenagers underwent surgeries and are recovering in the ICU. [unidade de terapia intensiva] and another in an intermediate unit”, informed the city hall.
In a note, the Civil Police of Minas Gerais reports that it has opened an investigation to determine the facts. “Some victims who were discharged from the hospital have already been heard. The driver, as soon as possible, will also be heard. The bodies of the four confirmed fatal victims will be sent to the Legal Medical Office of Juiz de Fora for identification”, adds the note.
