Live power lines topple on Auburn school bus after crash
AUBURN, Wash. -- Dozens of kids were trapped but unhurt on an Auburn school bus Wednesday afternoon after the bus collided with a power pole and live wires toppled onto the roof.
The low-speed crash happened around 3:45 p.m as the bus was in front of Arthur Jacobsen Elementary, said Auburn police. After the impact, wires from the power pole were dislodged and knocked to the ground; some draped across the bus.
Officials said the 38 kids and one driver on board were told to stay put until Puget Sound Energy could de-energize the lines. That happened just before 5 p.m. and kids were transferred to another bus to take them home. No one else was reported injured.
Crews have closed 132nd Avenue SE near the crash site until the power lines could be cleaned up. Auburn police say the crash did knock out power to the immediate area.
Police are still investigating what caused the crash.
The low-speed crash happened around 3:45 p.m as the bus was in front of Arthur Jacobsen Elementary, said Auburn police. After the impact, wires from the power pole were dislodged and knocked to the ground; some draped across the bus.
Officials said the 38 kids and one driver on board were told to stay put until Puget Sound Energy could de-energize the lines. That happened just before 5 p.m. and kids were transferred to another bus to take them home. No one else was reported injured.
Crews have closed 132nd Avenue SE near the crash site until the power lines could be cleaned up. Auburn police say the crash did knock out power to the immediate area.
Police are still investigating what caused the crash.
Tires don't protect the bus in this case. The whole bus could be electrifly(sp) but passengers are safe as long as they stay on the bus. The passengers are just like a bird on the electrical line. If the passengers tried to step out (touching the bus and the ground at the same time), they would get zapped.Â
 @somethingtosay The bus (or any car for that matter) acts as a faraday cage. So long as you are not grounded and inside you are safe from the electricity.
Hmmmmm...wonder what CAUSED the driver to crash into the pole...swerving to miss a deer???, another vehicle????....bus driver distracted????...mechanical malfunction????...Just gimme the low-down.
 @TreeTopFlyer Agreed. Very incomplete "news" story.Â
I'm sure the DOT will be interested in the bus driver's BAC as well as a friendly urine sample analysis...of course, we may never know the results.
 @TreeTopFlyer It could be as simple as a mechanical failure, or some kids acting out and distracting the driver.
One of our worst case scenarios. Tires. Good.