Haunted Kentucky: The Big Sandy River Bus Crash Site
The Prestonsburg Bus Crash is one of the deadliest bus crashes in the history of Kentucky as well as the entire country. Anyone who lived in Floyd County at the time remembers where they were when it happened. I have quite a few family members who grew up in the area and nearby Pike County. Even if you don't believe the Big Sandy Riverbend is haunted by some of the victims, it's still worth reading about what happened.
Located in Eastern Kentucky, Floyd County is home to more than 35,000 people. At the time of the bus crash though, it was much smaller. Floyd County School is the district that oversees the educational needs of local students. In the 1950s, students were so spread out that buses picked them up and brought them to their nearest schools. One of those buses was filled with 48 students when it crashed into the river.
February 28, 1958, was a cold and windy day. Floyd County already suffered a long beating over the summer. The last few weeks were even worse as temperatures kept rising and falling. As more ice and snow fell and then melted, it found its way to the Big Sandy River. The Levisa Fork was at its highest point that morning.
The 48 students on the bus ranged from elementary school kids still trying to wake up to high school students who were laughing and joking with each other. Their bus was heading down US Route 23 to Prestonsburg when it hit a wrecker truck. The driver lost control, sending the bus spiraling down into the water. Within seconds of making contact, the harsh waves grabbed the bus and forced it downstream where it quickly began sinking.
Bus Accident By Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office
All of the students had only seconds to react. Some were lucky enough to climb through the windows and escape to safety, but not all were as lucky. Only 22 of the young students survived the crash. As soon as word reached the public, the Kentucky National Guard and the Navy came to search the icy and freezing waters. More than 500 soldiers and volunteers were on hand, but it still took nearly 70 days before they found the remaining passengers and the bus driver.
There are many people today who believe that the site of the accident is haunted. They claim to hear disembodied voices screaming long into the night. Others reported seeing strange orbs floating by or taking photos that showed the same orbs along with some dark shadows. Visitors and locals claim that the screams heard are the poor victims reliving their last minutes.
I was really on the fence about whether to post this story. During a trip to Pikeville to visit my family a few years ago, we stopped by the Big Sandy River to pay our respects. I understand why some people think the crash site is haunted. It has a feeling of overwhelming sadness. Just minutes after stopping and getting out of the car, I was ready to go. My boyfriend, who typically doesn't get scared of anything, only managed to a few more minutes before he too was ready to go.
If you visit the bus crash site, please be respectful.
Bus Crash Victims, Courtesy of KYGenWeb
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