The Chipman-Lamont school bus-train collision occurred on November 29, 1960, when a bus carrying 42 students from Chipman, Alberta, near Edmonton, Alberta, was struck by a freight train, just east of Lamont, Alberta, killing 17 on board.[1]
| Chipman-Lamont school bus-train collision | |
|---|---|
  Crash site Crash site (Alberta) | |
| Details | |
| Date | February 29, 1960 |
| Location | Lamont, Alberta |
| Statistics | |
| Vehicles | 2 (bus, train) |
| Passengers | 42 |
| Deaths | 17 |
Accident edit
On November 29, 1960, a bus carrying 42 students from the town of Chipman, Alberta, was struck at a railway crossing on their way to a neighboring high school in the town of Lamont, Alberta.[2] The impact caused the bus to hit a metal pole, sheering it in half; the train dragged the front half a kilometer down the tracks before the train was able to stop.[2] A teacher in a car directly behind the bus recalled the bus stopping at the crossing, then continuing through just prior to the train hitting.[2] Bodies were scattered throughout the wreckage with some bodies so badly injured that they could not be recognized.[2] Of the 42 students on the bus, 17 were killed, with many others hospitalized with severe injuries.[3] The driver of the bus survived the crash while sustaining critical injuries.[2]
Aftermath edit
The driver of the bus was charged with criminal negligence, however, was acquitted at a later date.[3]
Legacy edit
The Chipman-Lamont school bus-train collision remains the deadliest traffic accident in Alberta history. In May, 2021, a Gofundme was set up to raise money for a memorial to honor the victims. Two memorials were erected in 2022, one at the site of the accident and one in Chipman, Alberta.[4]
See also edit
List of deadliest Canadian traffic accidents
References edit
- ^ "50th Anniversary of Chipman bus tragedy | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
- ^ a b c d e https://www.pressreader.com/canada/edmonton-journal/20121129/281535108286104. Retrieved 2023-10-25 – via PressReader.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ a b Pruden, Jana (November 19, 2010). "Survivors recall 'The Tragedy". Edmonton Journal.
- ^ "Monument commemorates the 17 victims killed in Lamont bus crash | portals". content.goldenwestapps.com. Retrieved 2023-10-25.