Citation

Heightman AJ. JEMS 2016; 41(11): 24-33.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

29188957

Abstract

The author presents details of an emergency response to a crash involving a large DUKW—a six-wheel-drive amphibious vehicle used by the U.S. military in World War II and retrofitted to serve as a land/water tourist attraction/transport and a charter bus that occurred on a bridge. This was a major incident resulting in more than 50 serious injuries and deaths.

The posted speed limit on the six-lane bridge is 40 mph with no center barrier between the three northbound and three southbound lanes.

The charter bus involved was carrying 48 international students and staff from North Seattle College to downtown Seattle for a new student orientation. It was being followed by a second bus. Many of the students didn't speak English, which would present a unique obstacle during assessment and triage.

The massive Ride the Duck amphibious tour vehicle was approximately 8.5 feet wide, 31 feet long and weighted 15 tons.2 Neither the bus nor the Duck had seatbelts available to their passengers. Two other personal vehicles were also involved in the collision. Many passengers and their belongings were ejected from the vehicles to the roadway pavement....

Language: en