Firefighters rescue nine from Arc bus submerged in water

Published 9:30 am Friday, July 19, 2019

Eight occupants with disabilities on an Arc of Acadiana bus were saved by firefighters this past weekend after the vehicle was submerged in water off U.S. 90 near National Oilwell Varco. 

According to a prepared statement from Iberia Parish Fire District No. 1, the department and the Coteau Volunteer Fire Department responded to a report that people might be trapped in a submerged Louisiana medical truck at 11:54 a.m. Sunday in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Barry

After Fire Chief Guy Bonin arrived on scene, he assessed the situation and realized the vehicle was an Arc of Acadiana bus that was taking patients to a safer location. 

The bus was submerged in a roadside ditch that was approximately 10 feet deep and 20 feet wide, Bonin said. The entire front of the bus was submerged in the ditch, according to the statement. 

There were eight adults with disabilities aboard, including one who was wheelchair-bound, and the ninth occupant was the driver. When firefighters arrived shortly after the chief, they began the dangerous water rescue as the bus was being filled with water by the minute. 

Deputy Chief Mike Vincent and firefighter operators Tyson Chastant and Gage Turner entered the submerged bus through the bus windows. Bonin, Training Chief Brett Doumit, Capt. Brandon Abshire and Firefighter Operator Rik Hernandez were outside the bus in chest-deep water awaiting to assist each passenger after exiting the bus through the rear bus window it had yet to go underwater. 

The first priority, according to Bonin, was to remove the wheelchair-bound occupant because his airway was compromised by the rising water level. After restraints were removed, that passenger was rescued and first-responders then began to rescue each occupant. 

Other fire personnel who helped with medical assistance and other rescue efforts included Capt. Chris Perkins, Firefighter Operators Bob Thongsavath, Taylor Champagne and Lance Langlinais. and Coteau Volunteer Firefighter Teddy Miller.