1988 bus crash left a legacy of pain but led to safety changes

I hope bringing the story back out will wake up some people On May 14, 1988, after a day of riding roller coasters at Kings Island near Cincinnati, 63 chattering children and four chaperones packed into a church bus for a 9 p.m. trip back to Radcliff, Ky. via The Courier-Journal

[Remembrance]

I remember this as it was yesterday. My friends daughter was on this bus with a friend and they both survived. One with no burns and the other you could not recognize her from her school picture. The burns to her face and body was so bad. I am glad that they are having a vigil and pray that all people, young and old, realize the effects of drinking and driving. If I was still in the area I would be there. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

[Robert]

This is a crime shame that 27 foks lost there life I sure do hope that someone out there realizes the effects of there actions I wish I could have done something for them all what a shame I do remember this well first of all the fuel tank should have been protected in first place

[Mee]

Robert wrote:

This is a crime shame that 27 foks lost there life I sure do hope that someone out there realizes the effects of there actions I wish I could have done something for them all what a shame I do remember this well first of all the fuel tank should have been protected in first place

Can't blame the bus. Need to blame the sorry jerk that was drunk. He is the one that killed those people. My step brother was on that bus and he still has bad dreams to this day.

[BBB]

I agree,buses are like planes and not designed to crash. Another thing is the church bought a worn out school bus for a song,had they spent the money for a modern diesel this would not have happened. I remember where I was that day,my son was supposed to have been on the bus but did not go.I lost a few friends and had many more hurt.The guy should not have drank and should not have gotten on the road going the wrong way,then again I forgive him. he had no way of knowing a simple mistake that happens everyday could affect so many lifes.Bad judgement dosent make him a killer.Ford motor company paid out a fortune which was also wrong.The church bought a piece of junk worn out bus for 700.00 bucks and put kids on the interstate in it.The church should have been sued,not ford.
It is still a tragedy and I pray for the familys every week,at my new church.

[first time]

The church was doing what they could to make sure the children of the church had some good clean fun. The bus was street safe. No one could have imagined the horror that was going to happen. A SIMPLE mistake!?!? It is not as if Mahoney had one or two drinks. Nothing was simple about his (yes) mistake. It was a great tragedy. Some feel as if we should just drop the story. I feel like if the families still need it and it might help for people learn. Why not? Not everyone has learned. I used to work in a bar and saw at least one of the survivors drive drunk. Nothing I said or did mattered. This person was obviously not "awakened." Everyone will take hearing the story again different. Hopefully we all tell our kids.

[Worthville Girl]

My father was at the time a member of the carroll county rescue squad a father of 4 and a friend of larry mahoney they also worked together and I remember it all very well for years u couldn't leave carroll county and tell where u were from without comments about "the bus crash" like the whole county were to blame. I still think that we should try to help those involved and raise awareness cause apparently people haven't learned any lessons from this tragedy as for the comment made by "first time" try calling 911 and telling them there is a drunk driver next time you may save a life hell maybe even mine u may be called a rat by some but in my book u would be a hero