SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Film on Prestonsburg bus crash to premiere

Documentary includes an interview with a survivor of the 1958 accident, which claimed 27 lives when a school bus plunged into the Big Sandy River.

December 30, 2009
Film on Prestonsburg bus crash to premiere

The Very Worst Thing, a documentary on the deadly 1958 school bus crash in Prestonsburg, Ky., features interviews with people affected by the tragedy and original pictures from the scene, including this one.

1 min to read


PRESTONSBURG, Ky. — A documentary on one of the worst school bus crashes in U.S. history will premiere in February in Prestonsburg, where the tragedy took place more than 50 years ago.

In the 1958 accident, 27 students and their bus driver were killed when the bus struck a wrecker truck and plunged into the Big Sandy River. Twenty-two children were able to escape, but the others drowned in the raging, icy floodwaters.

Ad Loading...

The bus was swept downstream and submerged. It took rescue workers two days to find and remove it from the river.

The documentary, The Very Worst Thing, features interviews with people affected by the tragedy, including a survivor of the accident, friends and family of several victims, and emergency personnel who responded. The film also includes original pictures from the scene of the accident.

“It’s a story about finding strength during the most difficult of circumstances,” the documentary’s Website says.

The Very Worst Thing is slated to appear nationally at film festivals beginning in spring 2010.

The film’s trailer can be viewed below. For more information, go to www.theveryworstthing.com. For tickets to the Feb. 19 premiere, click here.


More Safety

Graphic with part of a school bus and text reading "Fatal Accident in Brooklyn."
Safetyby StaffMay 5, 2026

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 →
A blue and white graphic with text reading "2026 Safety & Operations Report" with an image of the cover of the report.
Safetyby StaffMay 4, 2026

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 →
zonar system image
SponsoredMay 1, 2026

What Data Shows About Student Transportation in 2026

Driver shortages, safety expectations, and staffing limits define student transportation in 2026. New survey data shows how fleet leaders are responding.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
an overturned school bus on a roadway after an accident
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseApril 24, 2026

NTSB Calls for Alcohol Impairment Systems, Seat Belts After W.V. Crash Investigation

The federal agency's report asks NHTSA to require all new school buses to be equipped with vehicle-integrated alcohol detection systems and passenger lap-shoulder belts.

Read More →
zonar system image
SponsoredApril 20, 2026

2026 State of Student Transportation Report

Student transportation teams are being asked to do more with less, facing driver shortages, rising costs, and increasing safety expectations. This report uncovers how fleets are adapting, where technology is making the biggest impact, and why student ridership tracking is emerging as a top priority. Download the report to explore the key trends shaping 2026 and what they mean for your operation.

Read More →
A close-up view of the top of a yellow school bus with “School Bus” signage and red lights, overlaid with a cracked-glass effect. Text on the image reads, “Multi-Vehicle Crash in TN Takes 2 Lives” and “March 27, 2026,” with the School Bus Fleet logo in the corner.
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsApril 17, 2026

2 Students Die in Tennessee School Bus Crash with Dump Truck

A Carroll County accident claimed the lives of two students and injured over a dozen others on a March 27 field trip for eighth graders at Clarksville-Montgomery County. A preliminary report adds new information to the story.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A black, white, and red graphic with an image of Wisconsin political figures by a table and text reading "Legislative Roundup April 2026."
Safetyby Elora HaynesApril 17, 2026

School Bus Laws to Watch: Driver Shortages, EV Debates & Safety Upgrades

From driver shortage solutions in Tennessee and rural connectivity debates in Utah to new safety laws in Wisconsin and ongoing electric bus mandate discussions in New York and Connecticut, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.

Read More →
A rendering of the 6th-generation Waymo Driver on Hyundai’s all-electric IONIQ 5 SUV
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsApril 9, 2026

Senate Report: Autonomous Car Companies Hiding Reliance on Remote Operators

Waymo’s self-driving vehicles are under fire again after repeated school bus passing violations, raising questions about safety, remote operators, and regulation.

Read More →
Children cross in front of a stopped school bus with its stop arm extended while a nearby vehicle waits, illustrating school zone safety and risks of illegal passing.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseApril 9, 2026

Industry Suppliers Offer Distracted Driving Awareness Month Reminders

Distracted driving continues to pose serious risks in school zones, with new data and driver insights highlighting ongoing concerns and potential solutions to improve student and roadway safety.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic featuring a headshot of Michael Graham, Vice Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, wearing a dark suit and red tie against an orange gradient background, with “Leadership Update” and School Bus Fleet branding on the left.
Safetyby StaffApril 8, 2026

NTSB Names Michael Graham Vice Chair: Where He Stands on School Bus Safety

A former airline pilot has stepped into a new role at the independent federal agency, but where does he stand on issues like seat belts on school buses? Here’s what he’s said.

Read More →