Hero driver in Chowchilla bus hijacking dies
School bus driver Frank Edward Ray passes away at the age of 91 due to complications of cirrhosis of the liver. In 1976, Ray helped lead 26 schoolchildren to safety after their bus was hijacked by kidnappers who buried Ray and the students in a quarry.
CHOWCHILLA, Calif. — The school bus driver who helped lead 26 children to safety after their bus was hijacked by kidnappers in 1976 has passed away at the age of 91, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Frank Edward Ray died Thursday of complications of cirrhosis of the liver, according to his granddaughter.
Ray and the children he was transporting were kidnapped by armed masked men who blocked the road the bus was traveling on with a van. The kidnappers buried Ray and the children in a moving van in a quarry. After 16 hours, Ray and the students managed to escape.
Frederick Woods and brothers Richard and James Schoenfeld were charged with the kidnapping and sentenced to life in prison. As previously reported, Richard Schoenfeld is currently seeking parole.
To read the full Los Angeles Times story, click here.
More Safety
Pro-Vision Launches AI-Powered 360° Camera System
The new Birdseye camera delivers real-time AI-based pedestrian and vehicle detections, full visibility around the bus, and telematics integrations.
Read More →
NY Coalition Calls for Modernized Transportation for Vulnerable Students
A new statewide coalition is urging New York lawmakers to expand student transportation options for vulnerable students amid ongoing driver shortages.
Read More →
America Has a School Bus Passing Problem — and Distraction Is Making It Worse
Illegal school bus passing remains a major safety threat as distracted driving rises. This op-ed explores why awareness, enforcement, and stop-arm cameras matter more than ever.
Read More →
School Bus Laws to Watch: New York Delays EV Mandate
Plus, federal lawmakers seek new funding for school bus safety as states weigh stop-arm enforcement, disability protections, and education spending.
Read More →
The Essential Handbook for Safe Alternative Student Transportation
Your district's "exception riders" — students with IEPs, those experiencing homelessness, foster care youth — deserve more than a middleman solution. This handbook breaks down exactly what to look for in a supplemental transportation partner: from driver vetting and regulatory compliance to proactive safety technology. Because getting a ride isn't the same as getting a safe one.
Read More →
Operation STEER Brings Emergency Response Training to North Texas
Prosper ISD hosted the third annual training for transportation professionals across 67 districts to learn how to respond to emergencies, such as rollovers and evacuations, and proper use of safety equipment.
Read More →
Florida District Relaunches BusPatrol School Bus Camera Program With New Safeguards
After being suspended over due process concerns, Miami-Dade schools and law enforcement are restarting the AI-powered stop-arm camera program with new oversight.
Read More →
School Bus Laws To Watch: Seat Belt Bills, Funding Fights & EV Changes
From national bills on seat belts and driver oversight to driver awareness campaigns referencing “Finn’s Rule” and ongoing transportation funding debates in Alaska, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
9-Year-Old Boy Killed by School Bus at Busy Brooklyn Intersection
A Williamsburg community is mourning after a child was fatally struck by a private yeshiva bus, prompting calls for urgent safety improvements at the high-traffic crossing.
Read More →
Does Reliable School Transportation Boost Attendance? EverDriven’s Data Says Yes
The new data shows 99.99% incident-free trips and strong on-time performance, reinforcing how dependable transportation, especially for vulnerable student populations, can help districts combat chronic absenteeism.
Read More →