Passenger says Alberta bus had problems before crash

[CHIMO]

Passenger says Alberta bus had problems before crash
Last Updated Mon, 23 May 2005 21:41:59 EDT

EDMONTON - One of the victims of Friday's bus-truck collision north of Edmonton says the bus driver should not be blamed for the tragedy, but another passenger says the ill-fated bus was having problems right from the start of the trip.

"It's not an unheard of thing on a manual shifting bus to have the odd gear grind but every gear, every time? That's really unusual," he told CBC News.

"We backed up and the guy waved his arms and we were well short of the edge of the road. Then the trouble started.

"She went to put it into first gear and it jerked back ... and then it did that two more times and the third time was a fait d'accompli. We were down on the frame, the tires were spinning in the air. We stuck," said Cyre.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/05/23/altabus050523.html

A bit more of the story.

[tuvor]

1. Surely no one's giving the trucker a pass...?

Or was the bus really that difficult to see in the dark?

[CHIMO]

2. Appears That

The bus was across the road at 1 in the morning. Thus it was not too visible.
They have only said that they have taken statements on the truckers.

[tuvor]

3. I read the reports that the bus was across the road.

But you'd hope that the bus company isn't stupid enough not to put proper reflectors on the side of the bus.

[u4ic]

4. The interior lights were on

The truck driver reported he tried to avoid it, but couldn't. They're investigating whether or not the truck had any mechanical problems.

There was an RCMP cruiser with lights on by the bus, but left a few minutes before it was hit.

I used to live in Fort Mac, and travelled the road many times. It's a hellish one. Barely any shoulders in many areas. And in some, it's quite hilly, but it doesn't stop drivers from bootin it. I had a few near misses from inattentive drivers.