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"I couldn't even move from nerves": driver threatened by Cerro fans recounts tense moment
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡พ Uruguay /Crime & Justice

"I couldn't even move from nerves": driver threatened by Cerro fans recounts tense moment

From El Paรญs · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A bus driver was threatened by fans of the Cerro football club while driving a UCOT bus in Montevideo.
  • The fans, numbering around 50, forced the driver to follow an escort of motorcycles and cars, threatening him with a weapon.
  • The driver reported the incident, stating he was in shock and feared for his safety.

A bus driver, identified as Carlos, recounted a terrifying ordeal where he was threatened by approximately 50 fans of the Cerro football club while operating a UCOT bus in Montevideo. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, involved the fans commandeering the bus and forcing the driver to proceed under escort.

The one behind me was pointing the gun at me, and the one on the motorcycle in front stopped at a traffic light, got in front of me, looked at me, zipped up his jacket, and showed me the revolver, and that's how they took me the whole way.

โ€” CarlosThe bus driver described the specific threats and actions taken by the football fans during the incident.

Carlos detailed how the fans boarded the bus en route to Intercambiador Belloni. They informed him that they would be escorted by motorcycles and cars and that no other passengers were permitted. He stated that one fan threatened him with a weapon from behind, while another on a motorcycle displayed a revolver.

The driver explained that the escort vehicles were instructed to block traffic, and he was ordered not to stop at red lights. He described the intense fear he experienced, particularly when a fan on a motorcycle ahead of him opened his jacket to reveal a weapon. Carlos also mentioned that six passengers not affiliated with the fans eventually disembarked the bus.

I have a family, and you don't know if tomorrow you get on the bus and if you're going to get off, because that's the reality, you don't know if you're going to get off tomorrow, you don't know if you're going to...

โ€” CarlosThe driver expressed his fear for his personal safety and that of his family following the traumatic event.

Upon reaching their destination, the fans exited the bus and vandalized it. Carlos, left in a state of shock, contacted his company, UCOT. He reported difficulties communicating with emergency services, stating that the 911 operator could not hear him clearly due to the stressful situation. The driver expressed his deep concern for his safety and the safety of his family, questioning his ability to return home safely after such an experience.

I call the dispatcher (from UCOT) and explain that I'm in a complicated situation on the bus and that I need police support.

โ€” CarlosThe driver recounted his attempt to seek help from his company during the ordeal.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Paรญs in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.