Drunk driver hits bus shelter, seven reported injured

Seven people including a child were reported injured after a drunk driver crashed into a bus shelter shortly after noon on Monday in Tallinn.

The emergency response center received at 12:20 a report of a traffic accident in Tallinn's Oismae district. According to initial information a Ford Galaxy driven by a 63-year-old man hit a traffic sign after which the driver lost control of the vehicle and it crashed into a bus shelter, injuring seven people. Five injured were taken to hospital for a check-up and two received first aid on site.

The seven people injured in the accident were a 69-year-old woman, a 41-year-old woman, a 77-year-old man, an 82-year-old woman and a 7-year-old girl who were all taken to hospital, and an 88-year-old man and a 7-year-old girl who received first aid.

Riho Tanak from the Police and Border Guard Board said the accident is a regrettable demonstration that a drunk driver is incapable of adequately perceiving the traffic conditions and controlling the vehicle. "Taking the wheel after consuming alcohol always poses a threat to oneself and others. Seven people were injured today because of someone else's irresponsible traffic behavior and that's not acceptable," Tanak said.

The man is a professional bus driver but was driving a category B motor vehicle for which he did not have a license.

A criminal investigation has been opened.