Serious bus accident in Gifhorn: seniors in hospital!

Serious bus accident in Gifhorn: seniors in hospital!

A serious bus accident made headlines in the Gifhorn district on July 12, 2025. Near Rötgesbüttel, on federal highway 4, a coach from the Netherlands with 23 senior citizens on board veered off the road and collided with several trees. The rescue work took four hours, which led to a lengthy closure of the road, as the Borken newspaper reported.

The incident occurred between Rötgesbüttel and Meine, about 30 kilometers from the planned destination in Braunschweig. Of the 23 passengers, six people suffered injuries: Two men, aged 81 and 73, were seriously injured and flown by helicopter to nearby hospitals. The other injured people, including two women (70 and 79 years old) and the 59-year-old driver, escaped with minor injuries and were taken to hospital NDR supplemented.

Cause and effects

The fire department stated that a health problem of the bus driver was likely the cause of the accident; the driver himself was also among the injured. A 16-year-old who filmed during the operation may also have helped spread information about the incident.

The unharmed passengers were initially accommodated in a community center before being transported to Braunschweig by taxi. The media initially reported 15 injuries, although the number was later reduced to six. This discrepancy raises questions about the initial reporting and highlights the difficulties in assessing operations of this kind.

A look at the safety of older drivers

In light of the accident, it is important to draw attention to the safety of older drivers and their mobility. A study of the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) has shown that older people aged 65 and over are less likely to be involved in accidents with personal injury, but an increase in the number of people involved in accidents is to be expected due to demographic developments. Groups that lead an active lifestyle are particularly at risk, as they are often at higher risk of accidents.

The study shows the need to make older drivers more aware of specific traffic risks and to support them in their mobility decisions. Since many seniors travel - like the affected passengers in Gifhorn - it is important to develop appropriate road safety measures that are tailored to their living conditions and driving behavior.

In summary, this tragic incident highlights the challenges of road traffic for older people and the increased risk of accidents in certain situations. Comprehensive analysis and prevention are necessary steps to improve safety on the roads.