Greyhound issues statement after bus crash that injured 20; Emery County officials thankful for large response
Dec 28, 2021, 8:52 AM | Updated: 7:34 pm
Image of the Greyhound bus that veered off of I-70 and overturned in the frigid cold of Emery County. Photo: Emery County Sheriff's Office
EMERY COUNTY, Utah — Twenty people were taken to the hospital with injuries after a Greyhound bus crash in Emery County late Monday night.
The Greyhound bus was traveling what Emery County officials called a remote area of westbound on I-70 Monday night. Just before midnight, near Green River, the bus veered off the road and overturned entirely.
The Emery County Sheriff’s Department said it began receiving calls from passengers just before midnight.
Nearly half of the 37 passengers and crew were injured in the crash. In a statement, Greyhound offered their support to the victims.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all who were impacted by today’s events. We are unable to provide additional details at this time as our primary focus is on the safety and security of our customers and driver.”
Remote area of crash impacted rescue options
“The accident location was remote. According to Emery County officials, it happened 48 miles from Green River where there is no hospital, 36 miles from the small town of Emery where there are no medical services, and 71 miles from Richfield, the location of the nearest hospital.
Because of this remoteness, Emery County residents pitched in with blankets and food for the passengers of the Greyhound bus crash, as well as a cooked breakfast.
“A phone call was made to the bishop of the Emery Ward,” said Emery County Sheriff Greg Funk. He opened the church building and arranged for food and bedding for those not initially transported by ambulance.
“At least ten residents of Emery were at the church cooking for and serving the stranded passengers. I am very grateful for the way they responded to show kindness to the stranded passengers.,” said Sheriff Funk.
Multiple agencies responded to Greyhound bus crash
Utah Highway Patrol’s Sgt. Cameron Roden said the bus was carrying 36 passengers as well as the driver.
Several agencies including the Utah Highway Patrol were paged and responded to the crash. Ambulances from Carbon, Emery, Wayne, Sevier, and Sanpete Counties were dispatched to the scene. The Emery County Sheriff’s Department said that some of their emergency medical technicians (EMTs) responded in their personal cars and trucks.
And anticipating that some of the crash victims may need to be transported by air, the Carbon County Road Department was tasked with removing snow at the Carbon County Airport in Price.
“I cannot say enough about the cooperation between counties,” said Emery County Sheriff Greg Funk.
“To get that many ambulances from five counties to such a remote location, as well as support from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office and AP&P to help with the injured passengers – – – it was an incredible effort on a frigid winter night.
Initial reports indicated as many as 50 passengers on the bus
Emergency responders thought initially that as many as 50 passengers were on board the Greyhound bus. But after crews got to the scene, the correct number, 36 passengers and one driver, was determined.
In total, 32 people were transported by 12 ambulances to three hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to serious. Sgt. Roden reported none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening.
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