Home»BALTIMORE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT»INCIDENTS»2016 Fires and Incidents»Fatal MVA 3800 Block Frederick Ave. 11-1-16

Shortly after 6:30AM a catastrophic tragedy was unfolding in the 3800 block of Frederick Avenue in southeast Baltimore. A school bus with a driver and his aide was driving eastbound on Frederick Avenue, on its way to pick up special needs school children when it struck a moving car in the rear. The bus continued driving for about a block when it then veered to the left, across two lanes and into an oncoming MTA bus traveling westbound. It struck the MTA bus head on and ripped most of the side off before coming to a stop. The first dispatch went out reporting an auto accident. Truck 8, stationed only two blocks away, and Medic 15 were dispatched initially. When Truck 8 arrived on the scene it was apparent that this would be a Mass Casualty Incident. There were people on the sidewalk that had gotten out of the bus and numerous people trapped in both vehicles. Truck 8 requested a Rescue Assignment with additional medics and Squads to the scene.
Units began to extricate the driver of the school bus as well as some of the victims on the MTA bus. As units began accessing the situation it was apparent there were 4 passengers deceased on the MTA bus. The drivers of both vehicles also died.
It was determined that 13 people were on the MTA bus and 2 on the school bus. 10 people were transported to Shock Trauma and other hospitals in the area. By the afternoon one person was listed in critical condition, 1 in serious condition, and 3 were listed in fair to stable condition. The aide on the school bus also survived and was transported. The Medical Examiner was called to the scene as well as a additional Squad to recover the deceased victims. Firefighters continued to search the bus for any remaining victims that may have been trapped in the mangled debris.
The National Transportation Safety Board sent an investigation team to the scene and along with the Police Department will search for the cause of the horrific accident. Preliminary reports stated that there were no skid marks or indication of braking of the school bus, so there’s a possibility of a medical emergency that may have taken place with the driver. The roadway was closed for an extended period of time while the investigation took place.
Because of the severity of the accident the Critical Incident Stress Team was called to the scene to offer consolation to the first responders involved in this terrible accident. Some of the seasoned veterans on the scene said that this was one of the worst scenes they have ever witnessed.