These wore vertical grille slats instead of horizontal ones seen since 1989 (although the horizontal grille slats continued to be produced for the 3800 until 2004). To promote the change, in 2002, International redesigned the hood for its conventional bus, dubbed the International IC. By the end of the decade, AmTran buses would begin to start wearing International badging on the body as well.
For 1995, along with all other International medium-duty trucks, the 3800 received chrome hood badges denoting the model series and its engine type the grille badging changed from red to chrome.Ī key event that would affect school bus manufacturing during the later 1990s was the completion of the acquisition of AmTran by Navistar in April 1995. The lower-GVWR 3700 was discontinued after 1994.Īfter 1994, the lower- GVWR 3700 was discontinued. For 1991, the 3600 chassis variant was developed for the Thomas Vista semi-forward control conventional. Over its 15 years of production, the second generation of the S-series chassis underwent few changes, centered around revisions to its powertrain. While the cowled bus chassis was produced without a cab or interior, the steering column was redesigned (adapting a two-spoke steering wheel with spokes in an inverted "V" configuration) and larger gauges for the instrument cluster were introduced. The front bumper was updated to better fit the design of the hood. As part of the redesign, the 3700/3800 were given a redesigned hood along with aerodynamic improvements, the design included a lower hoodline and closer-fitting fenders. Ending the 10-year use of the "Schoolmaster" product name, the bus chassis received a separate model designation the S-1753 was replaced by the 3700, and the S-1853 was replaced by the 3800. In 1989, Navistar introduced the second generation of the S-series medium-duty trucks, renaming the Class 6 range the 4000 series. After the 1988 accident, Kentucky changed its public school bus equipment requirements and requires a higher number of emergency exits than any other state in the country.Ĭitation given by the families of the children who perished in the Prestonsburg School Bus Disaster to individual member of the Kentucky National Guard who assisted.Hey y'all how is everyone going these days? Well here recently I've taken on a new job and I've really lost interest into making a district due to that fact so if these aren't gonna be used for my company, I'll allow you all to use them, because I feel like being extra here the information on the 3800 and FS65 from WIKI lmfao. Both accidents occurred in Kentucky and in each, the victims were all thought to have survived the initial collisions, but were unable to safely evacuate the school-type buses afterwards. The accident drew nationwide sympathy for the parents of the children and respect for the stoic courage of the Prestonsburg people.įifty years later, the 27 person death toll is tied with the Carrollton, Kentucky bus disaster in 1988 for the highest number of fatalities resulting from a bus accident. Kentucky Guardsmen involved count the Prestonsburg Bus Tragedy as the grimmest state duty they ever performed. Over 500 Kentucky National Guardsmen were activated during the sixty-nine day search and recovery operation for the victims of this tragic incident. The bus was finally located by Navy divers, and removed from the river 55 hours later. Kentucky National Guard and other authorities and agencies responded.
However, 26 other children and the bus driver drowned. Twenty-Two children escaped the bus in the first few minutes as it became fully submerged in the raging flood stage waters and made it safely out of the river. Route 23 struck the rear of a wrecker truck and plunged down an embankment and into the swollen waters of the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River, where it was swept downstream and submerged. On a cold and cloudy morning, after a period of heavy rains and thaw, a Floyd County school bus loaded with 48 elementary and high school students bound for school at Prestonsburg on U.S. The collision and plunge into a river involving a school bus near Prestonsburg, Kentucky on Februwas the most disastrous bus accident in the history of the United States.