Driver Dies, 23 Injured as Bus Carrying Young Athletes Crashes Into Tree in Hungary

A bus transporting young athletes to a sports competition in Hungary crashed into a tree after veering into the opposite lane, leaving the driver dead and 23 passengers injured.

The tragic accident occurred around 5:20 a.m. on Saturday in Hird, a town in southwestern Hungary, according to a statement from Baranya County Police. Authorities said investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the crash.

The bus was carrying competitors from the aerobics division of the Pécs Sports School to Budapest for the second round of the Hungarian Cup when the incident happened.

According to PSN Zrt., the sports organization managing the team, there were 28 people on board, including 19 youth athletes, three coaches, six parents, and the driver.

The group was travelling to the Folyondár Street Hall in Budapest, approximately 120 miles north of Pécs, when the bus suddenly left the roadway in the Hird area and slammed into a tree.

Police confirmed that 23 of the 28 occupants sustained injuries. Emergency responders transported all passengers to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The Pécs Sports School said one young athlete suffered a fractured femur, along with multiple broken fingers, concussions, bruises and abrasions. Two coaches also sustained serious injuries and remain under close medical observation.

Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok expressed his condolences following the tragedy. In a message shared on Facebook, he described the crash as “heartbreaking,” extending his sympathies to the family of the deceased driver and wishing the injured a swift recovery.

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident.