11 die,19 injured in Brazilian bus crash

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- Eleven people were killed and 19 others injured when a passenger bus left a highway north of Rio de Janeiro and fell into a ravine, Brazilian police said.

Authorities suspect the brakes on the bus failed but there was also the possibility the bus driver became ill and lost control, Brazil's O Globo reported Tuesday.

Witnesses said they saw the bus flash its headlights just before the crash occurred as if the driver was trying to warn other vehicles.

Passengers who survived Monday's crash said they realized something was wrong when the bus picked up speed and there was a strong smell of burning rubber.

Many of the passengers stood up just before the crash which increased the severity of their injuries, witnesses said.

Rescue efforts were hampered because of difficulty accessing the area. Two helicopters were called in to help remove the injured while teams from the local fire department provided assistance to victims before they were taken to the hospital.

The bus wasn't removed from the ravine until early Tuesday morning.