Bus Crash- 40 Injured, 2 Killed: Charter Carrying Retired Seniors (VIDEO)
At least 40 elderly people were trapped on Thursday after a bus turned over on the President George Bush Turnpike near Dallas, Texas.
The passengers became trapped on a charter bus travelling in Irving, Texas after it crashed and landed on its side. The bus was, which belongs to Cardinal Coach Lines, usually provides transportation to groups of retired people heading to the Choctaw casino in Oklahoma reports said. The bus hit a guardrail before landing on its side, although the cause of the crash is still not clear.
Department of Public Safety Trooper Lonny Hashell confirmed two people were killed in the crash. At least 36 others were transported to the nearby hospital according to NBC5, a local Ft. Worth station. The accident caused the highway to be shut down.
"DPS also said the highway will be shut down for several house following the investigation," the station reported. "Drivers are encouraged to avoid SH-161 by using SH-114 or SH-183, or I-635."
Two witnesses at the accident described a grisly scene. One noticed "bodies stacked on top of each other ... moaning, crying, screaming for help." Some passengers were also allegedly trapped under the bus.
There was "bodies and blood" everywhere, Robert Hare told NBC5.
The bus swerved into the right lane "hit a rubber attenuator and traveled back across all lanes of the turnpike" before skidding across the middle of a concrete barrier and landing on the same side of the emergency exit. Those with less serious injury were sent to Baylor Irving Medical Center and Las Colinas Medical Center, according to NBC. Those with more severe injuries were sent to Parkland Memorial Hospital.