Three killed as bus plows into car

Three people were killed and two more were injured when a bus and a car collided on a major highway in southern Israel Thursday morning.

The crash occurred at Lehavim Junction on Route 40 in the northern Negev, a major crossroads north of Beersheba.

One of the vehicles ran a red light, causing a broadside collision, according to initial reports. Investigators do not yet know, however, which vehicle, the bus or the SUV, was ultimately responsible for the crash.

Emergency paramedics pronounced the three men dead at the scene.

All three victims were approximately 30 years old and were driving in the SUV that slammed into the bus, according to Israeli media reports.

The two injured were the bus’s driver, reported as being a 40-year-old man, and the driver of a third car, listed as approximately 70 years of age.

They were both transported to Soroka Medical Center. The extent of their injuries was not immediately clear.

The bus was empty at the time of the accident.

Police shut down the highway in both directions for several hours following the crash.