Bus Carrying Texas High School Band Students Plunges in 50-Foot Ravine

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After just a few days into the month of March, a First Class Tours bus carrying students from Texas was traveling west on Interstate 10 toward Houston when it careened near the highway medium and ended up going into a 50-foot ravine. Photos of the accident will leave you with goosebumps as you can see just how far down the bus ended up. Sadly, the driver of the bus, Harry Caligone of Houston, died at the scene of the crash.

According to USA Today, the bus was taking 40 Channelview High School band members and six adults back to Houston after they traveled to Disney World in Orlando for spring break. Lt. Joe Piggott of the Alabama Highway Patrol said that he didn’t know what caused the bus to leave the roadway at 5:30 a.m. but it led to the bus crushing on impact causing students and staff inside. The occupants were then exposed to temperatures in the low 40s.  The news source reported that it took rescuers about three hours to get everyone out of the wreckage. At least two passengers had to actually be cut free from the bus before they could be taken out.

Once everyone was freed from the crushed bus, the Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola treated 20 of the crash victims and five remained under hospital care as they were in serious condition. Shortly after some of the victims were released from care, they were taken to the Coastal Church in Daphne where they slept on cots until their parents drove from Texas to pick them up. During the time they stayed at the church, community members brought clothing and blankets as they knew the kids didn’t have any of this.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott spoke out regarding the tragic accident and offered his condolences to those involved and affected by the bus crash. He stated, “I pray for a speedy recovery for all those injured, and I am especially grateful for the heroic actions of the Alabama first responders that undoubtedly helped save lives today.”

 

Bus Accident Prompts the National Transportation Safety Board to Investigate the Accident

 

After the NTSB began investigating the accident, they recovered records that revealed First Class Tours had been involved in four other crashes in the past two years. One of those accidents resulted in a fatality and three others without deaths or injuries. The bus driver that was killed in this accident was not involved in any of those four other collisions.

But, because the company had been involved in so many accidents in such a little amount of time, they could potentially be closed down or hit with a lawsuit. In fact, the family members of the students involved in the most recent accident could potentially consider filing a personal injury lawsuit against the company in an effort to collect compensation for the physical and emotional pain their children had to endure. You see, when a company or another party is considered to be at fault for causing an accident because of their negligent behavior, they may be held liable for the damages that have arisen.

 

And if you or someone you know was recently involved in a bus accident that you believe could have been prevented had the other party been more careful, your best bet is to consult with a Houston bus accident lawyer who can discuss your what forms of action need to be taken so that you are properly compensated for your injuries.