On September 6, 2016, a truck driver’s rescue of a brake-failed bus on Bao Loc Pass became a moving testament to the courage and responsibility of Vietnamese drivers. Phan Van Bac, the truck driver, acted quickly and bravely, saving dozens of passengers on a bus speeding down the pass. The incident occurred around 2:30 PM on National Highway 20, near Đạ M’ri town, Đạ Hoai district, Lâm Đồng province.
Detecting Danger and Taking Decisive Action
Phan Van Bac, 30, residing in Đạ Huoai town, Đạ Huoai district, was driving his truck towards Ho Chi Minh City. He noticed a 42-seater bus operated by Tấn Hà Co., Ltd., driven by Toàn (40, from Long An province), showing signs of brake failure. In an emergency, Bac made a bold decision: use his truck to stop the out-of-control bus.
Bac recalled, “When I saw people leaning out the bus window shouting, I knew something was wrong.” Realizing the extreme danger to the dozens of passengers, Bac quickly decelerated, waiting for the bus to crash into his truck’s rear.
Guiding the Bus Through the Treacherous Pass
The collision damaged both vehicles significantly, but more importantly, it drastically reduced the bus’s speed. After the impact, Bac remained calm. He firmly controlled the truck, gradually braking and guiding the out-of-control bus through the steep and hazardous pass.
The distance from the point of impact to where the vehicles stopped was nearly 1 kilometer. This distance required exceptional calmness, driving skills, and extraordinary courage from Phan Van Bac. At the time of the brake failure, the bus carried about 30 passengers. Without Bac’s prompt action, the consequences could have been catastrophic.
Luck and Gratitude
When both vehicles came to a halt, the bus’s front and the truck’s rear were severely damaged. Miraculously, all passengers and the bus driver were safe. Phan Van Bac’s sacrifice and bravery prevented a terrible accident on Bao Loc Pass.
Speaking to Tuổi Trẻ newspaper, Bac remained shaken: “I was stunned when I heard the collision, but I tried to guide the bus to a stop. Seeing the damage to both vehicles scared me. It was frightening.” Despite his fear, his actions were rewarded by the safety of dozens of lives.
Recognition and Spreading Courage
Phan Van Bac’s noble act quickly spread, earning admiration and praise from the community. The Lâm Đồng Provincial Police Department (PC67) proposed that the Provincial Traffic Safety Committee commend Bac for his brave and responsible actions.
The truck driver’s rescue of the bus on Bao Loc Pass is not only a moving story of courage but also a reminder of the importance of safe driving, especially on mountain passes. Phan Van Bac’s actions deserve recognition and should inspire others, particularly truck and bus drivers across the country. Xe Tải Mỹ Đình expresses its deepest gratitude to Phan Van Bac, the unsung hero of Bao Loc Pass.
Phan Van Bac, the truck driver who rescued the bus.
Damaged bus after the heroic rescue.
