Sever teenagers and one adult killed in "a death trap on wheels".

Brent Adams

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 645

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In the Bathurst, New Brunswick traffic accident that occurred on January 12 involving the death of seven high school basketball players and one adult passenger, it was discovered that the passenger van used by the team has long been banned from the transportation of public school students in a majority of the U.S. and some provinces in Canada.

The 15-seat Ford Club Wagon's design made it dangerously susceptible to the personal injury of passengers and drivers. The accident occurred after the van fishtailed and then struck an oncoming tractor-trailer.

Accidents similar to this one in the U.S. resulted in several personal injury lawsuits. Congress prohibited the sale of 15-passenger vans for the purpose of transporting public school children to and from school in the year 2005. However, the vans may still be used for extracurricular activities and by private schools, churches, and universities.

According to Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy organization, the vehicles were originally manufactured to be cargo vans and were never redesigned for the safe transport of people. The risk of the vehicle rolling over dramatically increases when five or more passengers are riding in the vehicles. Due to the rear of the vans extending four to 5 ½ feet past the rear wheels, loading five or more people or luggage equipment causes the vehicle to become unstable during emergency maneuvers like swerving to avoid a pedestrian or vehicle.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.