A bus driver in Huizhou, Guangdong, killed four people and injured 11 in a rampage in an empty bus after being asked to work despite applying for sick leave.
Li Guoqing, a Hubei native, was arrested after his rush-hour rampage on Tuesday evening, which damaged 28 vehicles. He has not yet been charged.
Mr Li drove the empty bus down Huizhou Avenue, smashing into cars and bicycles on the way. He then drove on several major roads for 30 minutes before police were able to stop him. An investigation suggested the bus company's sick-leave arrangements may have triggered the rampage. On Monday, Mr Li applied for sick leave and the company approved it.
But on Tuesday afternoon his supervisor phoned him and asked him to work. Mr Li refused, but the supervisor called again and he went to the bus station. But the bus did not arrive on time and he had to wait for more than an hour. 'When it came, Mr Li rushed to the bus angrily. He started the engine and drove to the city centre even though the fare collector was not yet on board,' a government press release said.
A witness told the Huizhou Daily that pedestrians fled when they saw the bus speeding down the street.
