I thought I was having a bad day today, but....

[FrozenInTime]

Coming home tonight from town (did I ever mention I HATE going into town??), anywayz, I saw several ambulances heading towards town from a town not far from my home. So, I took a side road to see what was going on. Sorry I did, was not pretty site. A bus driver, with many kids from grade school through high school started across the tracks and found that the train was bigger/heavier. I have never seen so many emergency personnel in my life. Could not count the ambulances there, fire trucks, police, etc. I arrived there within 20 minutes of it happening but did not get close to the area, they did not need me in the way. Those ppl responded extremely fast and I am very glad they did. So far, the bus driver (a long time teacher at the school) and one 17yr old has died, many children have been transported by ambulance and helicopter to area hospitals.

Pray for the surviving children and all the parents/relatives.

[jimjohson]

prayers sent

[Beer-lord]

Awful news like this we don't need in the new year.
It's especially tough when children are involved.

[Kealia]

Heartbroken too hear this. Too many stories like this, sadly. Good thoughts to all.

[John Sand]

It is painful. But let us pray for those in grief and pain, and be glad for our own health and families.

[FrozenInTime]

Thanks y'all. Here's the link if anyone is interested.

http://www.wdaz.com/news/north-dakota/3 ... ing-school

[FedoraDave]

How tragic! I wish the best for the grieving families, and complete recovery for the others.

[RedBEERd]

I couldn't tell by the article but did the driver try to beat the train? Or did he run thru the barrier (if there was one)?

This is awful.

[Tabasco]

Horrible.

[RickBeer]

Saw this on the national news this morning. Typical crossing in rural area with warning signals and no gates. They will be investigating whether the signals malfunctioned or the driver ignored them or got stuck on the tracks. Regardless, senseless loss of life.

[jimjohson]

Saw this on the national news this morning. Typical crossing in rural area with warning signals and no gates. They will be investigating whether the signals malfunctioned or the driver ignored them or got stuck on the tracks. Regardless, senseless loss of life.

I was talkin' to FiT last night and he said; there are no signals at all at that crossing, and poor visibility to boot

[RickBeer]

I just read an update, says there is only a stop sign and crossing markings (no lights or gates), and that it appears the driver didn't stop at the stop sign. Awful.

[Chuck N]

LOML and I saw this on the Twin-City's new last night. Very sad for all involved. My prayers go out to the children on the bus, their parents, teachers and friends and to all of the emergency responders on the scene.

[FrozenInTime]

So far all I have heard, I'm sure it will be a long investigation, is the driver that was killed was also a teacher at that school. Seems to be a lack of bus drivers here, the teachers have to do double duty. Yea, that crossing is a typical one for here, country road, no signals, bells or arms that drop down, just stop signs and R/R crossing sign. The whole area is mourning the loss being a small community.

[Chuck N]

I've gone to many calls of train vs. Car or semi. Way too many. All but one have ended in tragedy. Thank God none have involved a school bus.

Almost without fail all the accidents involving trains is some one who has gone through that crossing a thousand times and there has never been a train going through before. And then that ONE time...