Bus Headed For Disney Crashes

[mkt]

Bus Headed For Disney Crashes
Mon Aug 19,11:22 AM ET

BUNNEL, FL (myCFnow.com) -- A charter bus traveling to Walt Disney World from Pittsburgh collided with a dump truck Monday morning on Interstate 95 in Flagler County, according to Local 6 News.

The crash happened at Mile Marker 284 near Bunnel, Fla. as the bus continued its trip from Pennsylvania to the theme park, officials said.

The bus reportedly rear-ended a dump truck on I-95 just after dawn Monday morning trapping the bus driver and injuring tourists.

Authorities said that seven of 48 people aboard the bus were injured in the collision.

Officials said that seven people have been tranported to local hospitals, including the bus driver, who was airlifted to Halifax Hospital.

Local 6 News reported that three patients were taken to Flagler Memorial Hospital and three people were transported to Ormond Beach Memorial Hospital. Their conditions were not available.

The charter company, Myers Coach, said that it was a private charter.

At least one lane of I-95 was closed in both directions for at least an hour after the crash. Traffic will be slow in the southbound lanes in the area, according to Local 6 News.

 

[The Mom]

That is a bad stretch of road (for some inexplicable reason) about an hour south of me. A friend's mother was killed there, also a former classmate of my daughter was seriously injured there. That's not counting all of the strangers who have died/been injured there. It is a 70MPH zone, which means lots of cars are going 85-90. Perhaps that is an issue. Also, it may be close to the extreme end of a "non-stop",close to 24 hr drive from the Northeast....the old "We can be in Disney in less than 2 hours; let's just keep going!" I'm sure the FHP has more information.

 

[mkt]

mom,

that's why I take the Turnpike

 

[The Mom]

Originally posted by mktiggerman
mom,

that's why I take the Turnpike

Does the turnpike go north of Daytona, towards Jax? I didn't know it went that far (yet) And there's always talk of making a North-South high speed road more centrally located....between I-75 & I-95. I first heard about it 20 years ago.

 

[mkt]

Not sure... I know it goes up towards Wildwood, but I'm not sure about any farther than that

 

[Jeff D]

The turnpike still ends at Wildwood. The last thing I read about in the paper down her (s. fla) is that they are going to widen that part of 95 to 6 lanes (three on each side). I drive up to Philly to visit the wifes family every now and then and besides the Washington joke that is one of the worst places to be. The road gets very crowded there and the traffic really moves. I have come close myself to being in a few accidents there due to people being in a hurry or plain tailgating when the traffic is heavy.

 

[The Mom]

My recollection is that there are only 2 lanes in each direction, with cars entering into a "disappearing" right lane....trying to merge into 70+ MPH traffic....and people don't always let you merge in before the lane disappears!


(In the thru traffic's defense, I've seen far too many people slow down or stop at the top of the on ramp, waiting for a break in traffic. Unless you have a really high performance car, you're going to have a hard time going from 0 - 60 before your lane ends....without someone in the right lane slamming on their brakes!)

 

[kaos]

I take I75 when I go up that way, but that's becasue I'm going to or from Chicago. I prefer the turnpike anyways. In my opinion, I95 should be condemed... I got into my accident on I95, only a month after moving here. Was rear-ended by a semi..

The Turnpike is my preferred method of travel... But it takes a sharp turn west just north of Ocala and merges with 75.