A bus carrying the Coritiba Crocodiles American football team crashed in Serra das Araras, in Piraí, south of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, September 21, leaving three of the 43 passengers dead and eight injured.
The team was on its way to play the Flamengo Imperadores in the Brazilian American Football Championship game which had been scheduled for Saturday, September 21.
The bus overturned around 10 am in the downhill lane. The three fatalities were Lucas Padilha, 42 years old, Daniel Antônio dos Santos, 44 years old, and Lucas de Castro Rodrigues Barros, 19, from Goiás.
Coritiba Crocodiles bus crash Photo: Reproduction
The following statement was published on the Coritiba Crocodiles Instagram page:
“In the face of this tragedy, all our efforts are focused on supporting team members and their loved ones. Our hearts are in mourning, and we ask everyone to send their prayers and positive energy.”
The Coritiba Crocodiles became three-time Brazilian champions in 2022 and earlier this year the team won its eleventh state title.