A tour bus located in Ketchikan ended on the banks of Ketchikan Creek this Wednesday when it lost power, reversed and crossed the guardrail. There there were no passengers on the Alaska Coach Tours bus, and the driver didn’t get hurt.
The Deputy police chief Eric Mattson says the crash took place as the vehicle was headed to Cape Fox Lodge. Cape Fox Lodge.
“The vehicle was traveling up Venetia Avenue. toward Cape Fox Lodge when it was unable to power itself,” he said. “It reversed down Venetia then went the bridge over Park Avenue over the sidewalk railing, and then was thrown into the back, with the rear end first in the creek in the creek, where it was buried.”
Mattson says that the next step is to remove the bus out of the creek.
“We called an U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment regarding the vehicle that was in the water,” he said. “Obviously concerned about any kind of fuel or any other kind of lubricant leaking into the waters.”
As per Lieutenant. Allen Vorholt with the U.S. Coast Guard, crews could not find a visible sheen or any evidence of gas or oil leaks. Ketchikan Creek, which is considered to be an adromous river for fish which is home to salmon, and they are moving towards the river to lay eggs.
Vorholt states that his Marine Safety Detachment will continue to keep an eye on the area. If anyone sees evidence that oil is present in the water, they should contact the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.
The advisories advised people to stay clear of Park Avenue, which is packed with pedestrians – mainly tourists – as well as buses and vehicles making their way for Cape Fox restaurant and Ted Ferry Civic Center. Cape Fox restaurant and Ted Ferry Civic Center. While traffic was slow for a few minutes, Mattson says the road is still open.
“They tried to get as many vehicles through however, they still had that safety corridor for the removal of the driver as well as to make sure the area was secure. Thus, those who required to get around quickly were given this opportunity,” he said.
A barrier was erected over the railing that was damaged. A portion of Park Avenue will be closed early on Thursday until the bus can be removed.
