Evening star., 1953-09-23
II PersonsH Hurt
As Sightseeing
Bus Hits Auto
Driver of Cor
Seriously Burned by
Cos Tank BIust

Eleven persons were injured
yesterday when a sightseeing bus
loaded with tourists smashed
into the rear of an automobile
on Mount Vernon boulevard.
about five miles south of Alexan-
dria.
Most seriously injured was the
driver Of the car, Robert Fisher,
35, of 962 Quander road, Fairfax
County. Witnesses said the gas.
oline tank of his automobile ex-
ploded with the crash, and the
flaming car overturned three
times. He was admitted to Alex
andria Hospital in serious condi.
ton with second and third-de-
gree burns on his hands, arms,
face and legs, and severe scalp
laceration. He was alone in his
car.
The other 10 victims included
nine passengers on the bus and
the driver, Russell j. Hyatt, 40,
of lila Penn street NE. No one
on the bus was hurt seriously,
police said. Only one passenger.
Mrs. M. E. Burch, 65, of Cerro
Gordo, Ill, was admitted to the
hospital. She had a fractured
left ankle, a cut lip and abra-
SionS.
Both North Bound. =
The crash occurred about s
pm. Both the bus and the auto
mobile were north-bound on the
boulevard. The bus, operated by
Diamond Tours, Inc, was re-
turning to Washington with %
passengers, after a sightseeing
trip to Mount Vernon. Mr..
Fisher. a horticulturist at Mount
Vernon. was on his way home.
Park police said MIR. Fisher
apparently was about to make q
left turn when the bus came over
hill and struck the car in the
rear.
Horace Anderson Of 1905 8
street NV, was parked near tho
accident scene taking some pic
lures of the Potomac River.
"The gas tank of the car ex-
ploded as soon as the bus hit it,"
he said. "The car overturned
three times. The man got out
his clothes were burning. He ran
towards the river"
Mr.. Fisher managed to put
out the flames on his own clothes
and walked back to the boule-
ward, where he waited until the
first ambulance arrived.
Bus Rolls Down Bank.
Passengers on the bus said the
crash sent the driver hurtling
from his seat. The driverless bus
veered off the left side of tho
highway, rolled down a 15-foot
bank and headed into a grove Of
trees.
Mr.. Hyatt said he managed to
get back in the drivers seat and
steer clear of the trees until the
bus slowed down.
How I kept it from tipping
over I'll never know" he said.
II missed the trees as best I
could. The bus had practically
come to a standstill when we
finally hit tree and stopped.
One woman passenger was
lying on the floor when the bus
stopped.
II was afraid the people would
get excited and trample her."
said Mr.. Hyatt. II told them
we could all get out if we took
our time. No one got panicky."
Second Car Escapes.
The crash almost involved an
other car. Pvt. Ivan Howard.
81, of Fort Belvoir said the bus
was about even with his car
when it smashed into Mr..
Fishers automobile.
THE flames came in the
window of my car" said Pvt.
Howard.
The bus passengers who were
treated at Alexandria Hospital
for minor injuries and released
were: Mrs. Frances Raskett. %.
Houston, Pa; Mrs. Fred Roberts.
62, Nazberth, Pa: Mrs. Ann De-
Fec, 35, and Mrs. Edith DeFeo,
48, both of st. Adams, N. Y; Mrs.
Karl Mack, 10, and Mrs. Paula
Mack, SIS, both of Ephrato,
Wash: Perl Baity, So, Dansville.
Ill, and Mrs. Pauline Leblanc.
65, of Pacadena, Calf.
Mr.. Hyatt also was treated for
minor contusions and abrasions
and released.
Park Police Pvts. Paul w. john
son and F. L. Appleton said no
charges were placed, pending
completion of their investiga-
ton.
RhNI INARs ~ m