TOKYO, March 23 (Xinhua) -- A large bus crashed into a windbreak forest alongside a national route in Mihama Town of Japan's Mie Prefecture on Saturday night, leaving the driver dead and 21 passengers injured, national broadcaster NHK reported on Sunday.
The incident occurred at around 8:30 p.m. local time on Saturday when the bus crossed the center line and struck the protective trees lining the road, according to NHK.
According to the police, the bus driver was taken to a hospital but later pronounced dead. Altogether 21 passengers sustained injuries and were transported to hospitals for treatment.
Footage captured by NHK at the scene showed the bus's left front violently colliding with a tree, causing significant damage to part of the vehicle, including shattered front windshield glass.
The bus was operated by Seibu Kanko Bus, headquartered in Saitama, and departed from Nachikatsuura Town in Wakayama Prefecture about an hour before the accident while en route to Saitama City.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash. ■
