Medical Emergency Leads to Greyhound Bus Crash, According to West Memphis Officials
On March 7, 2024, a medical emergency led to a Greyhound bus colliding with a guardrail on Interstate 40 in Crittenden County, West Memphis, Arkansas. Authorities have stated that the bus driver, who reportedly had a seizure during the incident, lost control of the bus, causing it to crash.
Crash Details
Providing more details, first responders found that the bus was carrying 35 people, including the driver. Eleven of these individuals were transported to the hospital for medical attention for minor injuries resulting from the accident.
A Passenger’s Account
“I was kind of asleep, so my neck was on the window like this…”, said Shaquille Curry, a passenger onboard the Greyhound, before miming the impact of the crash. “And when it hit it and it was ‘boom!’ We were right next to an 18-wheeler and once our tire blew out, it just started shaking and the guy in the 18-wheeler kind of side-swiped us and pushed us to the side, and there was everything, like pregnant women falling, it was crazy.”
Emergency Response and Rescue Operation
Passengers were pulled out of the crashed bus windows by firefighters. Vantwon Ford, one of the first police officers on the scene, expressed his disbelief at the situation. “It was a gift from God, that rail really saved them. If they went down another 300, 400 feet, they probably would have flipped over, it was by the grace of God that everyone was fine,” said Ford.
Investigation and Next Steps
Arkansas State Police is currently investigating the cause of the crash. As standard procedure, the bus will undergo a thorough inspection for mechanical faults or any other potential issues that could have contributed to the incident. The driver’s health status and medical history will also be examined as part of the investigation.
Conclusion
Considering the scale and potential severity of the accident, it was a relief that no serious injuries or casualties were reported. The swift action by emergency services and the good fortune of the bus not flipping over has likely prevented a more tragic outcome.
