Bus plunges into river after trainee driver crash, massive rescue response: reports

A bus driven by a trainee driver plunged into the River Seine near Juvisy-sur-Orge, approximately 12 miles south of Paris, after hitting a parked car and veering off the road. All four people on board were rescued safely following a large-scale emergency response involving more than 90 firefighters, divers, boats, and a helicopter. Authorities confirmed that drug and alcohol tests on the driver were negative, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation. The incident occurred as the trainee driver was nearing the end of her practical training. According to officials, the bus missed a turn near the riverbank, dragging a parked vehicle into the water before submerging itself. Dramatic footage showed the bus partially underwater with rescue workers both on top of the vehicle and in the river, coordinating the evacuation and recovery efforts. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with bystanders initially throwing life rings into the river before emergency crews took control. Following the rescue, authorities launched an internal investigation to determine the precise circumstances that led to the crash. The recovery operation involved cranes lifting the submerged bus from the Seine while helicopters monitored the area. The incident highlights the risks associated with driver training on large vehicles and underscores the importance of stringent safety protocols in such programs. No serious injuries were reported, but the event has prompted renewed scrutiny of training procedures for bus operators in the region.