Taormina tunnel crash on A18 kills driver, daughter injured

A fatal traffic accident occurred in the early hours of the night on the A18 Messina‑Catania highway inside the Taormina tunnel. A car collided with a stalled bus that had been transporting concert‑goers back from a Geolier performance in Messina. The driver, identified as Davide Toscano, died at the scene, while his six‑year‑old daughter was seriously injured but survived after treatment at the Policlinico di Catania.

The crash forced the closure of the highway segment between the Taormina and Giardini Naxos exits, diverting traffic and prompting a lengthy cleanup. Police, fire crews and the Consorzio per le Autostrade Siciliane worked on rescue, investigation and removal of the vehicles. The local prosecutor opened an inquiry to establish the precise dynamics, and local officials, including the mayor of Biancavilla, expressed condolences to the family.

Authorities noted that the bus had stopped in the lane due to a technical failure before the car struck it from behind. The incident highlighted safety concerns for stalled vehicles in tunnels and led to temporary traffic restrictions until the road was reopened.