Driver 'fainted' before fatal highway crash

The damaged bus was pulled to the side of the highway after the accident.[Photo/CHINA DAILY]

The driver of the 47-seat vehicle was among those who died, while 32 others were injured, five of them seriously, said police in Nanning, the regional capital.

The accident happened at about 10 am.

"I noticed the bus bump up against the guardrail several times before the accident," said a survivor of the crash who gave only his surname, Liang.

"I also heard someone shout at the driver to tell him to stop the bus, but the driver seemed to have fainted at that time."

Huang Zhixian, the head of Guangxi Public Security Bureau's traffic police, said most passengers had failed to use their seat belts, which had directly contributed to the loss of life.

"Usually, even if a driver is exhausted, he or she will wake up to take action whenever a danger like this occurs, but the driver didn't even step on the brakes," Huang said. An investigation panel has been set up to look into the cause of the accident.

Xinhua contributed to this story.