Bus hit by train in Biloxi

[pabusnut]

Another Sad Bus Event in Biloxi.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/train-hits-bus-killing-4-rescuers-cut-through-wreckage/ar-AAnZvtf?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp

Sounds like a 45fter high centered on RR tracks.  It could happen to any one of us travelling off the beaten path, but I think the 45 ft length makes newer busses more susceptible.

Steve Toomey
PAbusnut

[Astro]

I faced that same situation a few hours ago as I was a mile out of Buccaneer State Park in Mississippi, a few miles from Biloxi. I had to back my rig with toad up and take a two mile detour. A few locals behind me told me they see busses high center there all the time and several have been hit.  The gouges on the road told me not to proceed.

Here are the coordinates of my brush with this issue:

30.265144,-89.417273

[DoubleEagle]

Another Sad Bus Event in Biloxi.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/train-hits-bus-killing-4-rescuers-cut-through-wreckage/ar-AAnZvtf?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp

Sounds like a 45fter high centered on RR tracks.  It could happen to any one of us travelling off the beaten path, but I think the 45 ft length makes newer busses more susceptible.

Steve Toomey
PAbusnut

That was a Van Hool bus, which should done better than most because the spread between the front axle and the drive is less than  an Eagle, for instance. Most of their models had a rear air bag lift to clear steep driveways as well as the lowering switch for the front. He should have hit the rear lift switch, put it in reverse, and gunned it for all it was worth regardless of how many cars were behind. I have driven many Van Hools, and I don't think it should have happened. I have declined to cross many humped up RR crossings over the years, if in doubt, back out. Another option (if there was time) was to have the passengers get off to reduce the weight and increase clearance. The driver survived, so he will have time to reflect on the situation.

[Oonrahnjay]

...  Another option (if there was time) was to have the passengers get off to reduce the weight and increase clearance. ...

     I saw one report that said that a witness reported that passengers started getting off the bus about 10 minutes before the train hit.  I have no idea if this is a correct quotation of the witness's statement or if the witness was correct (time seems to "bend" in situations like these).  If there was time to evacuate and they didn't, that's poor judgment. 
     The passengers were apparently from a senior facility -- I hope that none of them couldn't get off the bus because of a physical (or other) handicap.

[DoubleEagle]

     I saw one report that said that a witness reported that passengers started getting off the bus about 10 minutes before the train hit.  I have no idea if this is a correct quotation of the witness's statement or if the witness was correct (time seems to "bend" in situations like these).  If there was time to evacuate and they didn't, that's poor judgment. 
     The passengers were apparently from a senior facility -- I hope that none of them couldn't get off the bus because of a physical (or other) handicap.

If that is true, they had enough time to get off even if they are elderly and handicapped. They simply might not have realized the danger they were in. The driver has a lot of responsibility here.