The Yuba City bus disaster occurred on May 21, 1976 in Martinez, California. The accident occurred at 11 a.m., as the bus, a 1950 Crown bus on its way to Miramonte High School in Orinda for a friendship day involving the choruses of Yuba City High School and Miramonte High School, took the off-ramp southbound from the Martinez-Benicia Bridge for a brief rest stop. The bus fell approximately 30 feet and landed upside-down, crushing the roof to the bottom of the bus windows. 29 of the 51 passengers on board were killed, including twenty-eight students and one teacher.
Although details were initially slow to appear, local, regional, and national newspapers and newsmagazines soon picked up the story.
To date, the Yuba City bus disaster is the worst bus crash in United States history involving a single bus.
Famous quotes containing the words city, bus and/or disaster:
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”
—Bible: New Testament, Matthew 23:37.
“David: All the reporters are on the bus.
Lucas: Okay, start the bus then. And drive them over a cliff.”
—Jeremy Larner, U.S. screenwriter, and Michael Ritchie. David (Chris Prey)
“When disaster waves, I try not to wave back.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)