Principal Violist Penelope Knuth Dies as Orchestra Bus Plunges in Valparaíso

Penelope Knuth, the New York-born principal violist of the Chilean Chamber Orchestra, has died after the orchestra's bus went down a hillside and overturned in Valparaíso. Four other musicians are in critical condition.

Knuth, a Juilliard-trained violist, had played in the orchestra for 32 years. She also served as an associate professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. She is survived by two children.

What happened on Av. Placeres?

The bus was carrying 45 musicians when it took a wrong turn and descended through the Placeres sector, according to local reports. It then plunged down a hillside from a height of about 15 meters and overturned into the parking lot of a condominium complex.

A foreman at the scene described the accident: 'A bus descending Av. Placeres unfortunately suffered a cliff plunge, flipping completely upside down into the inner parking area of a condominium.'

The vehicle came to rest completely upside down, the foreman confirmed.

Who was Penelope Knuth?

• Born in New York; trained at Juilliard.
• Principal violist of the Chilean Chamber Orchestra for 32 years.
• Associate professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile.
• Known as Penny; survived by two children.

What is the situation now?

The Chilean Chamber Orchestra has confirmed Knuth's death. Four other musicians from the bus remain in a critical condition, according to the same confirmation. No further details on their identities have been released.

The accident occurred as the orchestra bus descended through the Placeres sector of Valparaíso after taking a wrong turn. Local reports put the fall at approximately 15 meters.

An investigation into how the bus left the roadway on Av. Placeres can be expected, given the number of casualties and the severity of the crash. For the Chilean Chamber Orchestra, the loss removes a principal player who anchored its viola section for more than three decades.