MARTINEZ (TNS) — A remembrance ceremony to mark the 40th anniversary of the bus crash at the Interstate 680-Marina Vista offramp that killed 28 Yuba City High School students and an adult chaperon takes place at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Martinez Marina.
The May 21, 1976, bus crash remains the worst school bus accident in U.S. history, and second worst bus crash of any kind; a 1963 bus-train collision near Chualar, south of Salinas, killed 32 migrant farm workers.
The Yuba City school's a cappella choir was headed to Miramonte High School in Orinda for a concert that night. Having seen his engine warning light go on, the bus driver had just crossed the Benicia Bridge heading south, and entered the Marina Vista offramp in search of a service station when the bus failed to negotiate the sharp hairpin turn to the right, and the bus fell 21 feet from the offramp, landing on its roof.
The National Transportation Safety Board later determined the bus' brakes failed; the driver's unfamiliarity with the 1950-built bus, plus the sharp curve, were also cited as factors in the accident.
In September 1996, a memorial dedicated to the Yuba City crash victims, created by Contra Costa County firefighters, was established at the west end of the Martinez Marina parking lot.
It is there that Saturday's memorial will he held. There will be a candle lighting, accounts and observations from people connected to the accident and music. The ceremony is free, and everyone is welcome; to RSVP, email Rica Guidry at rguidry@cityofmartinez.org, or call 925-372-3505.
A videotape of Saturday's memorial ceremony will be sent to Yuba City High School, which is home to a memorial also built and paid for by Contra Costa County firefighters.