|
ANOTHER TEEN DIES ABOARD CITIES BUS ACCIDENT IS AREA'S 3RD THIS SPRING
Duluth News-Tribune (MN)Duluth
News-Tribune (MN) - Tuesday, May 21, 1996
Author: Associated Press, Saint
Paul Pioneer Press
A 13-year-old boy died Monday after his head hit a bridge
when he stuck his head out the top of a moving double-decker bus. It was the
second such accident within two weeks.
Brian Garon of Plymouth, Minn., stuck his head through an
emergency exit hatch in the top of a charter bus, authorities said.
``It was a real fun afternoon for this group of kids, a tragic end,'' said
State Patrol Trooper Michael Hanson. ``There's no superlative to describe how
bad this really is.''
The bus was bringing about 60 youth back to a synagogue following an outing
Sunday night. The accident happened at the Minnetonka Boulevard bridge over
Minnesota Highway 100.
Garon 's family said the accident happened when four boys
were playing a game to see how high they could jump out of the hatch. When
someone yelled, ``Bridge!'' Garon was the only one who did
not duck.
Hanson said he did not have information to confirm that report.
The bus, operated by Lorenz Bus Service of Blaine, Minn., has an escape hatch
secured by bolts similar to wing nuts, company president Jim Canine said.
``The driver did his inspection before the bus left and all safety equipment
was working as it normally does,'' Canine said.
Hanson said the ``clasps'' must be released before the hatch can be opened
and pushed upward.
The bus is 13 feet 5 inches tall, Hanson said. The bridge has a posted
clearance of 14 feet, but actually measures 15 feet, which means Garon
's torso was about 14 inches out of the hatch.
A similar accident occurred on a Minneapolis school bus May 8 when a
13-year-old boy stuck his head out a window and it struck a tree. On April 8,
another Twin Cities 13-year-old died when she jumped or fell from a moving
school bus.
Even though Sunday's accident involved a charter bus, state Department of
Public Safety spokeswoman Cathy Clark expected both to be discussed this
summer when a school bus safety advisory committee meets.
|