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September 21, 2023
Today in Texas History
By Bandera Spirits of Texas
The Bandera Prophet
On this day in 1989, the worst bus accident in Texas history occurred near the communities of Mission and Alton in Hidalgo County. At 7:30 a.m., a Dr Pepper truck hit a Mission school bus, knocking it into a water-filled caliche pit at the corner of Five-Mile Road and Bryan Road.
Nineteen children from the Alton area were drowned, and 60 were injured. Two others, including the bus driver, died later from their injuries.
The tragedy led to a push for increased emergency exits (there was only one at the time) as well as more stringent requirements for the training and qualification of drivers.
Nineteen children from the Alton area were drowned, and 60 were injured. Two others, including the bus driver, died later from their injuries.
The tragedy led to a push for increased emergency exits (there was only one at the time) as well as more stringent requirements for the training and qualification of drivers.