LISD buses pick up stranded Louisiana 5th graders.
Tour Bus Carrying 5th Graders Catches Fire, LIVINGSTON, May 28, 2009 - At approximately 9:20 am on May 28, 2009, one of two busses with Holladay Tours out of Shreveport, Louisiana and transporting 5th grade students was enroute back to Shreveport after 2 days of fun in Houston, caught fire just north of downtown Livingston. According to driver Tom Holladay, all his gages were perfect when he noticed in one of his mirrors that there was smoke coming from the rear of the bus. Holladay immediately pulled over. Holladay stated that by the time he stopped, flames began to emerge from the engine compartment. Holladay called the Polk County Sheriff's Office and the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the scene. All 53 passengers (students, teachers, and parents) were safely evacuated from the burning bus. DPS Troopers Kevin Burman, Nita Bowen and Bobby Perry were dispatched to the scene along with Sheriff's Deputy Sergeant Jason Paske. The Livingston volunteer firemen quickly doused the flames but not before the bus sustained severe damage and probably was totaled. LISD promptly sent school buses over to pick up the students and transport all passengers to the high school gym where the passengers were fed and remained in the gym until another tour bus was able to arrive and they could resume their trip home. The burned bus was recovered by Riley's towing out of Corrigan.
Engine compartment burning (photos courtesy of HolladayTours.com)
