World · Latin America · 7 hrs ago
Bus driver steers brake-failure bus to safety in Florianópolis
A bus on the Vargem Grande–Rio Vermelho route lost its brakes during a descent in Florianópolis on October 28.
Driver Wesley Conrado said the brake pedal failed as he drove in the north of the island.
He used the oncoming lane to get around a dangerous curve, while passengers shouted in fear.
Conrado brought the bus to a stop and all passengers got out safely; they embraced and thanked him.
The incident matters because the bus carried passengers on a city route, and brake failure could have caused a serious crash.
Florianópolis has more than 500 buses making about 8,000 trips a day, according to the city.
The municipality has notified the operator, Consórcio Fênix, and given it 10 days to explain the failure and provide maintenance records and reports.
The city says it is seeking to establish the bus’s technical condition and ensure passenger safety.
A bus lost its brakes while travelling in Florianópolis on October 28, and driver Wesley Conrado steered it through a dangerous curve before stopping safely.
The bus was carrying passengers on the Vargem Grande–Rio Vermelho route.
Conrado said he used the oncoming lane to get around the curve after the brake pedal and handbrake failed to respond.
Passengers and the driver embraced after everyone left the bus, and passengers thanked him for avoiding a crash.
Florianópolis city hall notified the bus operator, Consórcio Fênix, on November 2 and gave it 10 days to explain the brake failure.
- Who
- Bus driver Wesley Conrado and passengers on the bus.
- What
- The bus lost its brakes, but Conrado steered it through a dangerous curve and stopped safely.
- When
- October 28. The city notified the operator on November 2.
- Where
- Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, on the Vargem Grande–Rio Vermelho route.
- Why
- The bus’s brake system failed; the cause of the failure is not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The bus lost its brakes while travelling on the Vargem Grande–Rio Vermelho route in Florianópolis.
Conrado steered through a dangerous curve, stopped the bus and passengers got off safely.
Florianópolis city hall notified Consórcio Fênix and gave it 10 days to explain the brake failure.
Reports about the incident were published by ND Mais, Terra and G1.
- Route
- Vargem Grande–Rio Vermelho
- Incident date
- October 28
- Bus operator
- Consórcio Fênix
- City notification
- November 2; 10 days to respond
- Fleet size
- More than 500 buses in Florianópolis
3 sources
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What people are saying
As we started down the slope, I felt that the brake pedal was not working properly and that was when the desperation began.
It was total desperation, because people started screaming.
The driver saved our lives, made the impossible possible. A beautiful and great professional.
It needs to be in good condition.