BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - The investigation into a double-fatal school bus-train crash in northeastern North Dakota points to driver error.
The crash at a crossing outside Larimore Jan. 5 killed 17-year-old Larimore student Cassidy Sandstrom and 62-year-old bus driver Max Danner, and injured 12 other students.
The Highway Patrol report on the crash says an autopsy found no evidence that Danner suffered a medical emergency. The report also says there was "significant braking" of the bus before it came to rest on the tracks. The bus was struck between 1 ½ and 2 seconds later.
The report says the bus had no mechanical problems. It also says the BNSF Railway train was traveling slower than the speed limit, and its crew blew the train's whistle several times while approaching the crossing.