Fatal bus train crash Larimore investigation

Update…

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) – Only one of 10 injured students taken to Altru Hospital in Grand Forks after a fatal collision involving a Larimore school bus and a freight train remains there.
 
     Altru says six patients have now been discharged, including two more on Wednesday. Three other injured students were transferred earlier, but officials haven’t said where.
 
     The crash at a crossing outside Larimore Monday afternoon killed 62-year-old bus driver Max Danner and 17-year-old student Cassidy Sandstrom, and injured 12 other students. Authorities are still investigating what happened.
 
     Superintendent Roger Abbe says the school district has brought in 10 extra counselors to help students and staff cope with the tragedy. He says, “We’re on the right track to getting things back to normal.”
 
     The school was resuming sporting events Thursday night, weather permitting.

Authorities investigating the cause of a crash involving a Larimore school bus and a freight train are interviewing students on the bus, inspecting the bus mechanics, viewing videotape from a camera on the train and awaiting results of an autopsy on the bus driver.
 
     The crash on Monday afternoon at a crossing outside Larimore killed 62-year-old driver Max Danner and 17-year-old student Cassidy Sandstrom, and injured 12 other students.
 
     Highway Patrol Lt. Tom Iverson says it’s too early in the investigation to make any assumptions about what happened, including whether Danner might have suffered a medical problem. Danner’s twin brother, Mel, told The Associated Press that Max Danner had previous heart trouble that required a bypass and a pacemaker but otherwise was in good health.

 Funeral services have been scheduled for the driver of a Larimore school bus who died when the bus collided with a freight train.
 
     Amundson Funeral Home says services for 62-year-old Max Danner will be held Monday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Honeyford, starting at 2:30 p.m. The funeral will be followed by a reception at the American Legion Hall in Forest River, beginning at 4 p.m.
 
     Danner and 17-year-old student Cassidy Sandstrom died in the crash Monday afternoon at a crossing outside Larimore. The crash also injured 12 other students. Authorities are still investigating what happened.
 
     Danner is survived by his wife and four sons. His twin brother, Mel Danner, told The Associated Press that the family is grief-stricken over what happened.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) on Wednesday sent a multi-disciplinary team to work with Grand Forks County officials to evaluate the railroad crossing located east of Larimore, where the recent bus/train crash occurred.

“The NDDOT would like to express our sympathies to families involved in the crash and the community of Larimore,” said NDDOT Director Grant Levi. “The NDDOT sent the review team and also offered financial assistance to Grand Forks County if the county decides to add enhanced safety features to the railroad crossing.”

The Department of Transportation often works with local officials on reviews of railroad crossings. The initial review shows the crossing currently meets federal safety standards, however the local road authority could decide to request additional safety features for the railroad crossing.  

“The crash is still under investigation and facts are being gathered about the incident. Grand Forks County appreciates NDDOT’s assistance and is working with the team on the crossing review.” said Grand Forks County States Attorney Peter Welte.

Any safety enhancements supported by Grand Forks County would also require approval by BNSF Railway.

Previously…

(CSi) The North Dakota Highway Patrol has released the names of those who died in the school bus involved in Monday’s fatal accident between the bus and the BNSF train.

Fatal Victims

Bus driver: Max Danner, 62, Gilby

Passenger: Cassidy Sandstrom, 17, Emerado

 Those injured include five males, ranging in age from six to 16. Seven females were injured, ranging in age from five to 14.

 Ten of the students were taken to Altru Hospital in Grand Forks. Officials say four people remain in the hospital. Three of them have been transferred to other facilities and three of them have been released.

The crash remains under investigation.

BNSF Staff

Train engineer: Keith Erickson, 55, Lake Park, MN

Train conductor: Paula Randall, 32, West Fargo

LARIMORE, N.D. (AP) – Public records show the bus driver killed in a collision with a North Dakota train recently had Arizona citations for speeding and running a red light dismissed.

Authorities say driver error is likely the cause of Monday’s crash that killed a 17-year-old student and 62-year-old Max Danner, who was driving.

According to records, he was ticketed in September 2012 in Phoenix for not stopping at a red light. That citation was dismissed a month later.

In January 2013, also in Phoenix, he was cited for speeding after causing an accident. That ticket was dismissed in May 2013.

Details were not immediately available on why both were dismissed.

The only other item on Danner’s criminal record is a November 2012 ticket in North Dakota for not wearing a seat belt.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – The head of Larimore Public Schools says the bus driver who was killed in a train collision was a longtime, valuable member of the faculty and well-liked by students and staff.

Sixty-two-year-old Max Danner was driving the bus that collided with an empty BNSF freight train Monday afternoon. One 17-year-old student was killed and 12 other students were injured, including seven girls between the ages of 5 and 15 and five boys between 6 and 16.

Superintendent Roger Abbe says he has known Danner for 30 years and calls his death a huge loss for the community of about 1,400 people.

Abbe says Danner developed outstanding vocational agriculture and FFA programs at the school. Some of Danner’s classes were carpentry, engines, welding, livestock and introduction to agriculture.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – The head of Larimore Public Schools says school officials have received offers from about 30 schools to provide counselors in the wake of a school bus-train accident that killed two people and injured 12 students.

The collision Monday killed the bus driver, 62-year-old Max Danner, and a 17-year-old student. Seven girls between the ages of 5 and 15 and five boys between 6 and 16 were injured.

Roger Abbe, the superintendent of Larimore schools, says many of the counselors who volunteered were on hand for classes Tuesday, as well as clergy members. He says substitute teachers were brought in to support regular faculty.

Abbe says the offers for help show that area schools may be rivals on the basketball court or football field, but come together in tough times.