Oregon bus fire injures eight

Mon., Sept. 13, 2010

Associated Press

TILLAMOOK, Ore. – A bus traveling down an Oregon highway Sunday north of Tillamook caught fire, injuring eight people.

A 71-year old woman was taken by LifeFlight to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland for burn and smoke inhalation injuries, Oregon State Police said. Seven others on board were taken to a hospital in Tillamook.

Oregon State Police Sgt. Greg Plummer said his agency took the call for assistance just before 4 p.m.

The Raz Transportation tour bus carrying 33 passengers was southbound near milepost 64 when its driver saw smoke and flames coming from the front dash area. The driver pulled onto the shoulder and stopped.

When the bus door opened, the fire quickly spread inside the bus, police said.

The bus occupants fled through an emergency exit. The driver was not injured.

The name of the seriously injured woman may be released today. Police categorized other injuries as minor.

The bus was heavily damaged.

The bus had left the Cannon Beach area and was en route to Cape Mears for a brief stop before continuing to Portland.

State police said the cause of the fire appeared to be accidental.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.