Elderly driver's car veers onto sidewalk in Busan, killing two and injuring three

A tragic accident in Busan, South Korea, has left two pedestrians dead and three others injured after a 78-year-old driver lost control of his vehicle and drove onto a sidewalk. The incident occurred around 1:08 PM on Tuesday in the Daeyeon-dong neighborhood.

The vehicle, a passenger car, mounted the sidewalk and struck three pedestrians and three motorcycles before crashing into a subway ventilation structure. A 40-year-old woman died at the scene, and a 70-year-old woman was transported to the hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to her injuries. Two other pedestrians, a 30-year-old woman and a teenage girl, were taken to the hospital with pain in their heads and ankles, respectively.

The deceased woman and the injured teenager were identified as mother and daughter. The driver, who was also injured in the crash, has been booked by police on charges of causing death and injury under the special act on traffic accidents. He reportedly told witnesses that his brakes had failed.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, including whether the downhill slope of the road played a role. The driver, who is receiving medical treatment for internal bleeding, will be questioned further once he is discharged from the hospital. Police are analyzing CCTV footage to determine the cause of the accident, including the vehicle's speed and brake functionality.