What Happens When a Bus Stalls in Upstate New York Flood Waters?

Numerous bus passengers had to deal with a nightmare after the bus they were riding on attempted to drive through a flooded road in upstate New York on Monday.

Earlier this week many parts of Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York were all hit hard by a ton of rain leading to many flooded roads. Things got so bad in parts of Connecticut that officials had to declare a state of emergency while first responders attempted to rescue many from flash-flooded roads.

In New York, things weren't quite as bad as in neighboring Connecticut, but in some parts of the Hudson Valley, there were reports of flash floods that did result in some roads being temporally closed. Further north in Albany, NY some roads experienced flooding on Monday and unfortunately, one flooded road and a bad decision by a bus driver left bus riders in a really bad mood!

Bus Passengers Stranded with Ruined Luggage

According to WRGB, it all started Monday as area roads began to flood due to heavy rainfall leading to a section of Central Avenue between Frost Place and Vatrano Road being blocked off by police because the water rose to almost 3 feet. As CBS 6 was reporting on the flooding they witnessed a bus, which was carrying passengers to New York City approach the flooded roads and as the driver approached he decided to try and drive through it.

SEE ALSO: Bluest Lake in the World Borders Upstate New York

They said,

"At first it looked like the bus was going to make it, but eventually it stalled and became stuck in the water, leaving the driver and all its passengers trapped inside for nearly two hours."

 

Bad Decision Angers Bus Riders

Passengers aboard the bus were visibly upset with the driver's decision to drive through the flooded road which not only left them stranded but also completely soaked their luggage leaving it wet and muddy. One rider told CBS 6, “Everyone was really frustrated because we were not getting any updates on what was happening. We also didn’t understand why he decided to drive through the flood." Another said

"I’m straight angry right now. It’s like, I felt he should have never did that, knowing he wasn’t going to make it through."

The bus, which is owned by Wanda Coach did tell WRGB that they had begun to issue riders refunds soon after the unfortunate event. The bus driver was cited according to police.