About 7:40 p.m., central standard time, on December 23, 1983, a southbound activity bus (bus) suddently veered leftward, crossed the centerline of State Route 61, a 2-lane, 2-way highway, and struck head on a northbound tractor cargo tank semitrailer near Devers, Texas. The tractor cargo tank semitrailer penetrated from 5.5 to 6.5 feet into the passenger compartment of the 1970 former schoolbus. The busdriver and all 21 passengers aboard were ejected through the front opening created in the collision. The truckdriver, the busdriver, and eight bus passengers were killed. Thirteen other bus passengers were injured. The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the loss of control of the activity bus following the deflation and subsequent blowout of the left front tire due to a nail puncture. Contributing to the severity of the injuries was the less rigid construction of the 1970 former schoolbus when compared to schoolbuses built after April 1977 which meet minimum Federal requirements for crashworthiness and occupant protection.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Highway Accident Report - Activity Bus/Tractor-Cargo Tank Semitrailer Collision, State Route 61 Near Devers, Texas, December 23, 1983


    Publication date :

    1984


    Size :

    34 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English