9 injured after Lynx bus overturns on I-4 in Orlando

By: Kelly Healey

Updated: Oct 1, 2019

ORLANDO, Fla. - A Lynx bus overturned on Interstate 4 in Orlando on Tuesday morning, police said.

Westbound lanes of I-4 were closed, and the crash caused heavy delays for most of the afternoon, but the roadway has since reopened.

The crash was reported shortly before 11:45 a.m. near Rio Grande Avenue and L.B. McLeod Road.

Lynx said eight passengers were aboard the bus at the time of the crash.

"As operator (Steven) Silva was traveling along the road, the road slightly shifts to the left," a Lynx safety report said. "Due to the shift in the road lanes, he slightly entered the left lane and attempted to reestablish his position. This resulted in him overcorrecting his turn."

The report said Silva lost control of the bus and performed several hard turns to regain control of the vehicle but was unable to do so.

"The vehicle skidded into the concrete barrier located on the inside of the lane," the report said. "The impact caused the bus to flip on its side and slightly slide on the roadway."

The road conditions were wet due to rain and the road surface changed from asphalt to a concrete-type surface right before the accident, officials said.

"The speed limit was 50 mph and he was traveling between 52 and 56 mph," the report said.

Hazmat crews were at the scene due to an oil leak, the Orlando Fire Department said.

Skywitness 9 flew over the scene, capturing video of firefighters carrying patients on stretchers.

Nine people were taken to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries, officials said.

Lynx said it has employed Silva since April.