Truck Accident Lawyer News

IRVING, Texas — One of the worst bus accidents in the history of the United States just occurred in Irving Texas this morning where officials report that 41 people were injured and two were killed when a private charter bus, owned by Cardinal Coach Lines of Mansfield, overturned. Witnesses reported that bodies were stacked upon each other, people were moaning and crying in pain. There were people in shock, many with broken bones and serious injuries and several dead who were crushed under the bus. Passenger Dan Risik told NBC 5 that the charter bus was headed to Choctaw Casino Resort in Durant, Okla.

At least two people were killed when a tour bus crashed, crushing two of the passengers to death, in Irving, TX on the George Bush Turnpike (Highway 161) near a toll plaza on April 11, 2013.

Watch video of bus crash on George Bush Turnpike in Irving, TX

The accident occurred at about 9 a.m. Thursday morning, April 11, along state Highway 161/President George Bush Turnpike near Belt Line Road. According to the DPS, the bus was traveling northbound on state Highway 161 when the bus drove onto the right side of the road for an unexplained reason. The bus hit a rubber attenuator, traveled back across all lanes of the turnpike and onto the grassy median before running up along the middle concrete barrier. The bus flipped over and slid on its right side — the same side as the exit doors.

Map showing location of fatal tour bus crash in Irving, TX on the George Bush Turnpike (Highway 161) at Beltway Drive near the toll plaza on April 11, 2013.

A few witnesses said they heard a pop like the tire gave out which may have caused the bus to hit something causing the bus to flip. Witnesses told the media that when they were being interviewed by the police that they were told that the driver was thrown clear out of the front windshield when it flipped and was thrown about 20 yards from the bus in the middle of the road.

Officials with the Irving Fire Department said 45 people were on the passenger list. Witnesses said that stacked bodies had to be pulled out one at a time. Trapped passengers had to use emergency hatches on the roof and push out the windows on the left side of the bus to either climb out or await rescue by passers by and emergency crews.

Department of Public Safety Trooper Lonny Haschel confirmed two people were killed in the crash and over three dozen people were injured and transported to area hospitals.

Sixteen patients are in critical condition while many others suffered only minor injuries, according to emergency crews. The injured are being sent to various Dallas-area hospitals including Baylor Irving Medical Center, Las Colinas Medical Center, Parkland Memorial Hospital and Methodist Hospital in Dallas. The Dallas County medical examiner has also been called to the scene.

A phone number has been given out for anyone searching for family members. They can call 972-721-INFO (4636) to find out where passengers were hospitalized.

The incident remains under investigation at this time and multiple departments, including the Texas Department of Public Safety, are at the scene. According to news reports, the National Traffic Safety Board announced they are also sending a team of regional investigators to the scene of the accident.

Source: NBC News 5

Truck Accident Lawyer News is a truck accident and personal injury blog that publishes up to date bus and truck accidents and truck legal news from across the United States.

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