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Subscribe to RSSIllinois State Police say the bus blew a tire before veering off the road. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
Updated at 11:29 p.m. ET: A passenger bus traveling from Chicago to St. Louis plowed into a bridge support Thursday on a southern Illinois interstate, killing one person and injuring 33 others, several of them critically, police said.
Thirty ambulances and five emergency helicopters responded to the scene on Interstate 55 a few miles north of Litchfield, in Montgomery County south of the capital, Springfield, said Illinois State Trooper Doug Francis.
Illinois State Police told NBC station KSDK-TV of St. Louis that a woman seated above the driver on the second floor of the bus was killed. KSDK identified her as 25-year-old Aditi Avhad of India. She was on her way to Columbia, Missouri, the station reported. State police weren't able to provide precise information of the seriousness of people's injuries, saying in a statement only that "several" were critically injured.
The driver of the bus was taken to a hospital for surgery, but his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, a statement from the Illinois State Police said.
The bus, a double-decker express operated by the budget intercity service Megabus, was running from Chicago to St. Louis, the company told NBC News. It said 81 tickets had been sold for the trip, but police said the bus' manifest showed only 64 passengers. The discrepancy couldn't immediately be explained.
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Police said they believed a tire blew out before the bus rammed into the concrete pillar. Video from KSDK showed that it sustained extensive damage.
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Wow, I wonder how the driver managed to go that far out of his way to strike the support like that? You can barely even see the road in the picture anymore.
My prayers and condolences to the injured and their families.
That doesn't sound good at all "covered by sheets". I hope it is only injured as the story states.
That was my thought as well. With a huge grassy median, what are the odds of all the places the bus goes off the road that that is where it does? Heck almost took out the bridge with it. Talk about bad luck/timing ect (assuming of course their wasn't intended reason or something for what happened, which I'm not assuming at this point).
Eitherway, yes I wish the best for those injured in this crash. Get well soon. Condolences to families if anyone was killed.
It is time
The driver could have had a medical emergency. That's what happened the last time a charter bus went off the road and crashed, but that one killed several people. Then again, this bus was from Chicago, so maybe one of those corrupt politicians had it out for someone and sabotaged it. It sure wouldn't be the first time for that either (and that's only being half sarcastic, half serious).
Tom,
so nice of you to think such kind thoughts of your fellow americans
Ban bus travel because it kills people just like guns
Mr. Marvolo your comment is beyond pathetic. There is NOTHING good about people being injured, most (probably) seriously injured and some perhaps even killed, regardless of the point of origination. You assume everyone on this bus was from Chicago; perhaps some of the people were returning home to other areas of the country after visiting Chicago. In any case, your comment was rude, insensitive and absolutely unnecessary.
Oh please.................if these people were taking the bus from Chicago it means they were welfare trolls, single moms, drug users and other individuals who make up the lowest denominators of society. I'm not going to shed a tear for the deceased when they're likely a bunch of freeloaders who will no longer be suckling off the government teat.
Tom - I'm no major fan of anything coming out of Chicago (especially the current occupier of the White House), but your comments are way, WAY out of line. You aren't doing anyone any favors here, let alone those who were on this bus and their families.
Comment # 1.2 deleted for death trolling.
@ Tom Marvolo
The bus was tour bus taking people back home from a convention on green energy. These people probably pay more taxes than you and your entire white trash family have in your entire lives. Do everybody a favor and throw your keyboard into a river and then drive your car into a tree.
Maybe fell asleep? My heart goes out to everyone, killed or injured. I have seen a lot of these type of accidents over the years with tour buses, online, or in the news. I believe proper regulation needs to be done and followed, there is something clearly wrong here.
please read the article where it say's tire blew out...oh well...
Read story. Tire blew. Hard to control.
My prayers for all involved in this tragic accident.
Everyone should know that when a steel belted tire blows, it can take out the brake lines and the steel belts can wrap around steering components making vehicles impossible to handle. That is why proper tire pressure and checks should be performed. Even then, there can still be mishaps. Please wait until the full story comes out before placing blame. In my opinion.
Story says that a tire blew. In addition to Numb3rTech's comment, a double decker bus is a pretty heavy vehicle. At highway speeds when a steer tire blows, it's not surprising at all that it would travel that far off the highway. What's surprising though, is that it didn't roll over. These big busses, semis, and the like don't handle like a car when a situation like this occurs, and they definitely can't stop on a dime(speaking from experience with over a million miles logged). My condolences and sympathies to everyone involved.
@ Tom Marvolo - I do agree _to an extent_. It cannot be denied that there a large segment of people who use long-distance busing do so at least in part because it has a fringe benefit of providing at least one night free stay as a "Mobile Transient Hotel".
Tom Marvolo appears to be a rereg troll.
tire blew out...but my ? is how fast was the bus traveling!? and a victim that was taken to a near community center stated in an interview he was on a charter bus two days ago and the tire blew also but luckily the driver had complete control....maybe they need to check there tires and SLOW DOWN! prayers go out to all.
OK, so one person died from a bus accident.
Lets see what our lovely President has done:
Obama is a war criminal and he should be impeached.
Obama has:
Signed the NDAA bill into law allowing the assassination of any us citizen without trial (yes, I know it's been around for a long time but Obama signed it into law even though it's unconstitutional)
Obama has killed hundreds of innocent people (including 3 Americans) with drone strikes he has ordered in Pakistan And Yemen.
Obama has raised the National debt Nearly $5 TRILLION.
Obama has allowed almost 1 Million ILLEGAL aliens to become legal citizens (thanks to those he allowed to become citizens, they have committed 19 murders and 142 sex crimes)
Lied About all of His 2008 Campaign Promises Including the One Where He said he campaigned in 57 states.
Google Search "Dreams from my REAL father" and you'll see, Obama's father was a failed communist who's dream was to DESTROY America, at age 18, Obama went to a MARXIST school.
This is a tragic event for the families of the victims but seriously another bus crash story?
"... seated above the driver on the second floor of the bus..."
That had to be the worst.
What we have learned from the above posts is that buses are dangerous death traps, accidents waiting to happen. Most bus and truck drivers have met very low standards, probably did not graduate from high school, and refuse to work for any supervisor on earth!
My children are college students who use megabus frequently from a major US city. They meet many other college students during their travels. There are families who cannot afford alternative transportation, including driving their own vehicle, because of the price of gasoline, tolls, etc. They haven't encountered any transients or trolls yet and they've taken about 80 trips. Perhaps you should take one and see for yourself.
My prayers and condolences to the families.
Condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
Looks like the driver had a medical issue maybe? How else would he end up so far off the road?
tire blew out ...must have been a steering tire on the front...it just happen in a bad place...big rigs don't steer well with a blown front tire...bad deal...
The good news is it landed off the road. Nothing makes me more mad than a traffic wreck that blocks traffic. I HATE stop and go, so they can get firetrucks and police cars in there... grrr... upset just thinking about it. Then they block off a couple of lanes, rather than push the wreck off the road, and send medical aid cars after high volume traffic has had a chance to pass. I mean, I have places to go, and cannot wait until some person that can't drive has their wreck removed from the highway, which takes hours. They really need to cange the SOP when dealing with these situations to put traffic flow first. Just my opion.
That's right. Because when people are injured or maybe dead, what REALLY matters is your schedule. That's pretty selfish - don't you think? I hate traffic too and live in the city with the worst traffic in the country, but when I see an accident, I take a deep breath and am THANKFUL I wasn't involved in the accident!
Wow...traffic flow first over injured people huh?? That has got to be the most self-serving statement I have heard in a long time!!! God forbid there is an accident and you can't get to the grocery store in your allotment of time. I have a hunch your an aggressive driver who likes to utilize your middle finger when grandma isnt breaking the sound barrier to your satisfaction.
it might enrage you to the max to learn that both directions of the Interstate were closed for relief efforts. if so... well, my day is complete.
I know, I hate when people drive slow and you can't get around them. You have to putt along until you can finally get around them, and then let them know that you are unhappy with their driving through signing. If you do it while behind them, they slow down more, which really makes me mad. HOW HARD IS IT TO FIGURE OUT THE PEDAL ON THE RIGHT IS THE GAS. PUSH IT! And yes, my time is very important to me, and I don't get into wrecks, so I really don't feel sorry for the people that can't drive that do. If it's seems cold, too bad, rent a place within walking distance to work then.
I don't know........I'm inclined to agree with Chirs150 on this one.
A few people dead or injured vs. tens of thousands of individuals who have to put their lives on hold.
Chirs150, you are either a troll or an a$$hole, possibly both.
I thought you were just being sarcastic in your earlier post, but now I see that you are just another a-----e with too much time on your hands.
Im inclined to further argue with Chris150, but I have a personal rule to never argue with children, idiots or the mentally unstable. So I'm taking a pass..
Really, thinking my point is not valid? I hate waiting in traffic, just because some people can't drive. And then it's, oh no, a wreck, lets close the highway down and help them. This only serves to punish the people like myself that work hard everyday, and can drive. That's why I think it is only fair for them to wait until I, and others like me, have made it home for the day, then send help.
Chris, please stop wearing your seatbelt and text more often while driving.
P.S. Please let Tom ride shotgun.
Hope everyone survived. This happened near where I live.
I don't use the phone while driving, I need to focus so I don't wreck. I just wish everyone would realize that the people behind them are in a big hurry, and need to move along.
Tom could ride shotgun if he wished, he would get there safley and in a timely manner.
Chir & Tom, your opinion which is just an opinion is very heartless. I had a cousin die on the interstate, yes by using his cell phone. Even though this was an accident caused by not focusing completely on his driving, does not give you the right to say how much of a bother it is for other traffic that emergency vehicles had to come to his aid. I only hope that whether it be my fault or someone elses and I am in an accident that you both are no where around. I also hope that if something happens to either one of you, that you are blessed with loving drivers around you and not someone as yourselve as yourselves, who would probably block emergency vehicles from getting to you in time. Really, imagine your daughter or son on the interestate hurt and someone makes comments like you just did. I pray for you and your selfishness!!!!
Chris,
In most accident situations the wrecked and damaged vehicles can not just be "pushed...off the road." Direction of travel, skid marks, distance, speed, etc must all be measured and calculated to help piece together what happened. It also allows for the safety of the responders so they can save as many lives as possible and effiently do their job and then let you be on your merry way. Please be respectful of those hurt and those doing their jobs to help them. As the wife of a fire fighter, I hope we don't live wherever Chris happens to be driving.
I know they look into accidents, but it would be better just to make it a no fault state. No, I don't block emergency vehicles, I just think the state is rude by sending them out during high traffic times. I wish those in the accident would be more respectful of my needing to get home, lastly, my heart goes out to the thousands of people delayed by the accident you speak of, they will never get that time back from their lives (Probably adds up to years, if you put them all togther). Sorry, don't buy into the bleeding heart thing.
Chirst you'll be disappointed to know that all northbound lanes were closed at mile marker 52 just north of Litchfield. Karma is a bitch. You should be careful about what you say.
Stop feeding the Trolls, now they're multiplying! You have 2 just in this first few comments and with all you feeding them, they will only come back for more. This is their pathetic attempt to be relevant for a couple minutes of their sad existence.
At the risk of feeding the trolls(they have to eat too): I get a kick out of these young pups who "never wreck," oh, and believe they not just own the road, but own the effing road. So you never text while driving, while I find that a little hard to believe given your "bulletproof" attitude, I'll play devil's advocate anyways. Sounds like you have no problem with people dying just so you can get to where you want to go. Given that statement, let's say you're focusing on what's ahead of you, but the individual behind you is not(i.e. texting while driving, eating, etc), and slams right in to you. Now you're the one who's bleeding and needing an ambulance. Being consistent with your earlier statement, you should be allowed to die just so you don't inconvenience others.
It's a little different when you are the one who's hurt, be it your fault or not. Point is: think before you post a sociopathic rant.
Accidents are extremely rare. Most wrecks are due to negligence, inattention, poor maintenance, or chemically impaired drivers.
Megabus has a horrible safety record. They have to cut corners to make a profit from such low fares. Those cuts are often to bus maintenance and driver qualifications.
I've traveled that road many times. The drive must of had a medical problem or something because it's a straight run. I'll bet they were stuck on the road for hours.
You DID read the part about a tire blowing out, didn't you? But let's just make a stupid assumption that there was a medical problem with the driver anyway, why don't we? Yeah, that's the ticket.
elrenno...it may not have been mention in the article when it was first posted...just say'n...
Reports said the bus blew a tire
If that is true Ann it is on the driver.
You have to be ready at all times for something like that. I have over 1.5 million accident free miles as a commercial driver and have had 4 front tire blowouts at highway speed and never lost control.
Both hands on the wheel at all times!
Complacency and inattentiveness kills!
Maybe the mayor will ban bus riding when he bans assult rifles.
lern 2 spel
Actually, I think he's tied up with his ban on Chick-Fil-A
Yeah... the Chick-Fil-A will keep him busy for a while...
If only she was armed, she would probably still be alive.
sam adams
I didn't know she had no arms... Where did you read that?
I know there was a Megabus driver that got busted for OWI while he was driving the bus between Iowa City and Chicago a couple of months ago. At the time, Megabus said that they would be looking into a suspension or punishment. I hope this was not that same driver.
This is bad, bad and sad. I love to travel and routinely take motorcoaches on business and personal trips. From what I know about MegaBus, they are a good company. This is just so sad - I'm praying for all involved! I still believe that traveling by bus is one of the safest ways to go.
Check the official accident and death statistics! Rail travel is the safest, most comfortable and least polluting form of travel known to man!
Now if they had only banned assault weapons in Illinois this crash would never have happened!!!
Im going to have to agree with Tom. Actually i think they should now ban buses because obviously they kill people. Or perhaps its just the people "Driving" the buses, not the buses themselves. Perhaps these bus drivers should be policed more and go through FBI background checks along with whatever state they are from. This senseless killing must not go on. Call your local MTA and demand all bus drivers are properly trained and know the dangers of buses.
As for anyone who lost someone in this tragedy my heart really does go out to you. (Don't let the mockery fool you)
Its just a point of how people push a socialist agenda after something terrible happens to the American public. Everyone wants to point a finger, when in actuality it could of just been very terrible circumstances.
It seems to be a bit early for the media to decide casualties in this situation. I understand people wanting to know the news, but is it not sad that we will except news that is not true? Tell us that there has been an accident, then wait for the FACTS!
ACCEPT!
Maybe this Bus Driver just got done reading a “Sarah Palin” book….became Confused, Irrational and Lost his Mind. It seems to be a “Side Effect”.
You BetCha….Fer Sure.
nope, I'm thinking his fingers were all greasy from a fried drum stick and lost the wheel.....ohba kayba manba.....furba shurba ....fact this you sh*t monger pond scum Obama Lurver!
This wreck most certainly IS blocking traffic. I-55 is blocked in both directions between exits 52 and 60.
Listen to the live scanner feed here
w w w .radioreference.com/apps/audio/?action=wp&feedId=6964
Why do they even let people comment on these events. You always get the socially inept ones who have no idea what real life is and commenting about mundane things like how this effects traffic.
They are mere attention getters who usually have no life of their own except the role plays they do online.
God bless those in this accident and bless those who need to begin living the life they have.
Ashley
WHY?????? are they sitting under that READY TO COLLAPSE bridge???
And why are there cars still driving on that thing??
People still need to get where they are going.
Are you kidding me??? Bridge collapse! You culd drive a thousand busses into that bridge and not knock it down!!! I used to build these things, thay are built to take any impact!!! A bus or truck hitting a bridge, "like a bug off ur windsheild!"
The pillar is there for a needed structural reason. It's not a decoration. Without it, it would never pass inspection. Looks heavily damaged to me.
An earlier report on an Illinois TV channel said the support had parted from the bridge - sounded pretty serious.
My thoughts are with the families of the deceased. This is such an immense tragedy. However, my thoughts are also with the emergency responders. I am a volunteer firefighter/emt, and we just had an accident in our area where two 16 year olds were killed. While outwardly I know the responders in IL appear to be unfazed by they work they are doing, I can assure you none of them will sleep tonight and it will be a long time until they feel normal again. And they are putting themselves in harms way and bearing these burdens without even thinking about whether the poeple in the bus are "wellfare trolls" or "drug users" as some of the people on this discussion have said. To those responders, the people on that bus are just that, PEOPLE. All lives that are equally worthy of being saved.
Praying for the victims of the crash. God bless them!
Gneisenau,
I think they were likely going 65-70mph and the tire blew out...THAT'S how he got that far off the road. You try driving a 5-ton bus going that fast and suddenly lose all control b/c of a mechanical failure.
This is sad news. I think we need to consider bus control restricting the manufacture of new buses...
Shame on you Chirs150 and Tom-300459. You both are way off the main subject. People are ignored and possible dead from this accident. Who cares about the flippen traffic!!!!!!!!!!
ok ok.... the next thing we will read is the Bus missed its service inspection time ..... oopps...
hello... bus driver... check the tires yourself.... dur-george...
OMG, BAN ALL BUSSES, busses kill people, cmon libs, your'e all over it when someone dies by gun, where ya at?
The Libs love mass transit so don't hold your breath. They'd rather ban SUVs.
And of course there are always the idiots who have to bring politics into every discussion, relevant or not.
Comment # 30 deleted for death wishing.