In the dark of night on an interstate, a bus barreling down the road at 70 miles per hour began swerving. It was shortly after midnight as debris began to scatter from overhead containers on the bus. The mass transportation machine was carrying a group of hockey players who are with the U.S. Coast Guard. The cadets, who are from Pennsylvania and New Jersey noticed the swerving. One cadet jumped from his seat after noticing that the bus driver appeared to be passing out on Interstate 95.
Other teammates followed to the front of the bus and assisted in moving the driver from behind the wheel. A cadet hopped into the driver’s seat and got the rogue bus under control. The Coast Guard cadets called for an ambulance to take care of the bus driver. Members of the hockey team got out of the bus on the interstate to direct traffic away from the parked vehicle.
The story comes from a road in Connecticut. But, it seems fairly coincidental to a bus accident in Bethlehem Township from earlier this month. In that motor vehicle accident, the bus was hit from behind while motoring down Route 33.
The coincidental part?
The bus involved in last week’s incident was transporting a basketball team from the U.S. Military Academy.
The differences between the incidents?
The afternoon incident in Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 5 involved a bus and truck accident. Members of the women’s basketball team and the driver were taken to area hospitals with minor injuries. Authorities suspect that the bus had engine trouble and was traveling at a slow speed along the shoulder when a truck slammed into the back of the bus.
Highway accidents may involve a wide range of causes and contributing factors. Medical issues, mechanical failures or other issues can expose people to the risk of great harm on a highway, turnpike or interstate.
Thankfully, in the two recent bus wrecks involving teams associated with the Armed Forces, no serious injuries have been reported.