No Single Reason for Konginkangas Crash
An enquiry into a fatal crash near Konginkangas in central Finland last year says no single factor caused the accident. A total of 23 people lost their lives in a highway collision between a coach and an articulated truck in March last year.
Most of the victims were young people going on a skiing holiday to Lapland. A further 15 people were injured. It was the worst single road accident in Finnish history.
Accident investigators say in their report, published on Thursday, that no single factor was to blame for the crash. They list, however, a total of 32 major or minor factors.
The report says the truck driver lost control of his vehicle, while the coach driver made an observational error. Road conditions were icy at the time when the trailer of the truck started to swerve. Despite efforts by the driver to bring the vehicle under control, its trailer veered across the path of the on-coming coach. The cargo of heavy paper reels catapulted into the coach with tragic consequences.
Investigators Make Safety Recommendations
The investigating board made a total of 17 safety recommendations. It suggests that trucks should not exceed a speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour. The current limit is 90 km per hour.
They also call for stricter training for drivers to deal with similar situations in the future.
The State Prosecutor is considering whether to press charges against the driver of the articulated truck.
Latest in: News
Tougher rules on gun storage likely
In the wake of Saturday's fatal shootings, Interior Minister Päivi Räsänen indicated that upcoming changes to gun laws may include stricter rules about keeping firearms under lock and key.
Hyvinkää shooting victims all young adults
Victims in Saturday's shooting incident were rushed to hospital in Hyvinkää and to the Meilahti and Töölö hospitals in Helsinki. Both men and women, all the victims were young adults.
Two dead, 7 injured in Hyvinkää shootings
A police officer that arrived on the scene was critically injured. A suspect taken into custody has confessed to police.
Finland’s coolest summer festivals
Summer is the most frenzied time in the Finnish cultural year, with fans and artists alike rushing to enjoy that brief intersection of warmth and relaxed free time. Here are a dozen of the season’s most unusual cultural events. Nearly all take place outdoors or in tents – so here’s hoping for a warm, dry-ish festival season.
Baby spuds herald arrival of summer
In a crucial sign of summer for Finns, the first field-grown potatoes of the year have been harvested in Rymättylä on Finland's south-west coast.
Cutting-edge Finnish fashion hits the catwalk
The newest names in Finnish fashion are taking centre stage on Friday evening at a gala event at Helsinki's old Suvilahti power plant.
Urpilainen returned as SDP chair
The Social Democrats gathered at a party convention in Helsinki to elect party leaders. Incumbent Jutta Urpilainen ran unopposed for the chairmanship.
EU unemployed seek Finnish jobs
Labour officials say there's been an almost daily flow of European jobseekers registering for employment opportunities in Finland -- some of them from Spain.
Finnish Olympic team sets sights on London
The full complement of about 55 athletes will fly the Finnish flag at the London 2012 Olympics. They will compete in a range of disciplines ranging from track and field and equestrian events to judo and sailing.
Finnair, cabin crew continue Flybe transfer talks
Finnair will resume talks next week with the Cabin Crew Union on the transfer of about 100 cabin crew from flag carrier Finnair to its partner Flybe.
Discuss this topic
0 comments
Thank you. Your message has been sent to Yle News. We publish comments between 9 AM and 5 PM.
Yle News reads all comments before publishing, and we reserve the right to edit long comments. Inappropriate comments will not be published.
Thank you. Your report has been sent to Yle News. We review the reports between 9 AM and 5 PM.
Yle News will review the comment you reported and will delete it if necessary.