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NTSB: Driver Unresponsive Before I-10 Bus Crash
May 2, 2018
The National Transportation Safety Board has released their preliminary report on the deadly tour bus crash on I-10 on March 13.
The bus was transporting a high school marching band from Disney World in Orlando, where the band had performed, to Channelview, TX. This was the final leg of a four-day charter. The bus had left Orlando at 10:00 p.m. the day before and was scheduled to make a driver change near Mobile.
The bus was traveling about 59 mph according to preliminary GPS data, the NTSB report states.
(article continues below graphic)
A witness reported that the motorcoach suddenly left the right westbound lane, crossed the left westbound lane, and continued across the median into the eastbound lanes. The motorcoach continued across both eastbound lanes, almost colliding with a passenger vehicle and a semi-truck then continued onto the shoulder and struck a guardrail.
The bus traveled back across both eastbound lanes onto the median, where it continued west into a ravine between twin bridge structures. The bus came to rest in the ravine on its right side against a bridge pier, 38 feet below the roadway.
The driver died, and all 46 passengers sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious.
The NTSB said preliminary evidence showed no signs of braking. A passenger reported that as the motorcoach departed the travel lanes, the driver appeared unresponsive. The passenger attempted to revive the driver in the time before the crash.
An inspection found no vehicle defects that might have contributed to the crash. The motorcoach was equipped with lap/shoulder belts for all seats, and the extent of belt use by passengers is being examined. The NTSB is also evaluating motor carrier operations and driver performance as it relates to the crash.
All aspects of the crash remain under investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour and others, click to enlarge. Overhead graphic from NTSB, click to enlarge.
Comments
One Response to “NTSB: Driver Unresponsive Before I-10 Bus Crash”
This is so sad…we saw them march in the parade at Disney’s Magic Kingdom that Saturday afternoon.
I pray for the drivers family, I cannot imagine the pain and for the children and chaperones and their families…so so sad.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL.