NTSB ANNOUNCES PUBLIC HEARING ON VICTORIA, TEXAS MOTORCOACH ACCIDENT

[NTSB Press Releases <NTSBPressReleases@xxxxxxxx>]

Title: NTSB ANNOUNCES PUBLIC HEARING ON VICTORIA, TEXAS MOTORCOACH ACCIDENT

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                      NTSB PRESS RELEASE
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National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 9, 2008
SB-08-37

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NTSB ANNOUNCES PUBLIC HEARING ON VICTORIA, TEXAS
MOTORCOACH ACCIDENT

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Washington, D.C.  The National Transportation
Safety Board today announced that it will hold a
public hearing on a fatal motorcoach accident that
occurred early this year near Victoria, Texas.

The one-and-a-half day hearing will convene at
9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 7, 2008, at the
NTSB's Board Room and Conference Center, 429
L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, D.C.

"The Victoria accident investigation has uncovered
a number of complex issues related to passenger
carrying commercial vehicles, such as
motorcoaches, that do not meet U.S. safety
standards yet are imported, registered, and
operated in this country.  These issues are
troubling and warrant additional scrutiny by the
Board," said Board Member Debbie Hersman, who will
chair the hearing.

The accident occurred on January 2, 2008 on U.S.
Rouge 59 near Victoria, Texas when the northbound
47-passenger motorcoach overturned and struck a
guardrail.  One passenger was fatally injured, and
46 passengers and the driver sustained injuries
ranging from minor to serious.  The motorcoach had
been imported from Mexico and was being operated
by a Houston charter bus company.  The motorcoach
was registered in Texas and was displaying Texas
vehicle tags.

The hearing will focus on the importation,
registration, and operation of passenger-carrying
commercial vehicles that do not comply with the
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
(FMVSS).  Under Federal law, these types of
vehicles, which include motorcoaches, must meet
the FMVSS standards to operate in the U.S. 

The hearing will be webcast. An agenda and webcast
details will be posted on the Board's website,
www.ntsb.gov, when available.

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Media Contact:  Bridget Ann Serchak
                        202.314.6100
                        bridget.serchak@xxxxxxxx

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