Bus Wreck on I80 Clearfield County PA

[Dallas]

Nick just called me from on the road and said there were reports of a bus wreck on I-80 in PA. I looked for information for him and thought I'd post it here also.

CNN Headline News reports it as 2 dead with 20 injuries. I didn't see what kind of bus it was as it was on the back of a wrecker, but it looked pretty bad.

PA road report website has this to say:

      

      05/20/2007
   
   10 AM UPDATE - May 20, 2007 -- INTERSTATE 80 EAST BOUND CLOSED AND DETOURED IN CLEARFIELD COUNTY

A crash involving a tour bus has closed Interstate 80 Eastbound at Exit 111, Pennfield, in Clearfield County.

Traffic is being detoured off on to Route 153, to US 322, to Route 879 and back to Interstate 80 at Exit 120, Clearfield.

Delays are possible approaching Exit 111.

No time is yet available on when Eastbound Interstate 80 will be reopened.

Our prayers are out for the driver, passenger and families.

Dallas

http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Internet/pdNews.nsf/PressOfficeHome?OpenFrameset&Frame=main&src=currentyear?openview

[HighTechRedneck]

More info:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,274052,00.html

[Dallas]

And another story on the crash:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/20/bus.crash.ap/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Thanks Dallas,

We just arrived home from DeBois PA and we were in a bumper to bumper 4 hour back-up, trying to get back onto Rt 80 eb.

We didn't get to see the wreck at all as we were re routed onto Rt 322.

Nick-

[JerryH]

The bus was a VanHool operated by OK Travel, Inc., a Philadelphia-based operator of Chinese ethnicity (http://www.nbc10.com/news/13354461/detail.html?dl=headlineclick).  This accident on I-80, unfortunately isn't their first accident on I-80.  It appears that they nearly lost a coach over a bridge in White Haven, PA on April 16, 2007 (www.buses.org/downloads/4108.cfm).

I tried to do a search to see what their safety record is, but found nothing.  They say they operate a "few buses" ... not looking too good when they total one in May and do a number on one in April.

Certainly NOT making light of any kind of accident involving any injury or loss of life ... but my wife did comment whether there was some sort of pattern with this operator.  Two accidents which are likely operator error ... I think they need to revisit their drivers, their qualifications and capabilities and certainly bus maintenance.  It'd be really very interesting to find out if the driver in April was the same driver of the accident yesterday -- could you friggin' imagine!

Jerry H.

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Jerry,

There must be some kinda bus wars going on with the NY Chineese owned companys.

Luke has a few Dina's in his lot that are Burned Out from "Chineese Mafia" wars, I guess over terrortory...

Nick-