Accident in the Simmental Touring car collides with truck - one seriously injured

A touring car was involved in a serious accident in the Bernese Simmental. Rescue services, police and fire department are in action near the village of Oberwil. There were several casualties, one of whom was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

On Wednesday evening, a serious accident occurred on a bend in the cantonal road between Weissenburg and Pfaffenried in the Simmental valley, involving a car and a lorry, according to the Bern cantonal police.

Several ambulance teams, a Rega helicopter, the Spiez fire department, the Oberwil im Simmental fire department and the Boltigen fire department were deployed.

Later on Wednesday evening, the police released further details: "According to initial findings, a coach coming from Zweisimmen crossed into the oncoming lane for reasons still to be clarified and collided head-on with an oncoming truck," according to a statement.

The driver of the truck was seriously injured and flown to hospital by helicopter. 17 other people sustained minor injuries and were treated by several ambulance teams, according to the police. Around 40 uninjured occupants of the touring car were taken to Gesigen for their onward journey.

Reader reporters first reported from the scene of the accident

Various residents of Weissenburg and Oberwil confirmed to "20 Minuten" that a large number of ambulances and helicopters were deployed: "We were on the alp in the afternoon. When we got home, we saw the traffic detour. And there must have been 20 ambulances coming towards us from Därstetten," said one eyewitness.

The cantonal road remained closed for several hours due to the accident work. A detour was set up. The police and the Oberland public prosecutor's office launched an investigation.