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Can this chicken bus make it across a waterfall?
One of the most common ways to economically transit in Central America is via chicken bus, a type of rebuilt school bus chock full of budget travelers, locals, livestock and anything else that can fit. And with rugged terrain and unpredictable weather, passage can often be a time consuming and difficult affair.
WyUtahMed over on Youtube captured one of these very instances in Nicaragua. With the road washed out by massive flooding, the chicken bus in this video effectively had to drive over a waterfall and risk being washed away to continue its journey, all while petrified passengers watched from inside. Take a look below, and remember this next time you want to complain about Greyhound.
WyUtahMed over on Youtube captured one of these very instances in Nicaragua. With the road washed out by massive flooding, the chicken bus in this video effectively had to drive over a waterfall and risk being washed away to continue its journey, all while petrified passengers watched from inside. Take a look below, and remember this next time you want to complain about Greyhound.
Filed under: Nicaragua, Transportation, Budget Travel, Central America
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Brian Jones Jan 23rd 2011 6:48PM
Don't think I would like to take that bus route to home!
Though isn't it driving over a weir or dam, as waterfalls are natural.
Brian
Mark S. Jan 23rd 2011 11:00PM
I don't have a problem with doing some things which are a little risky, but from my perspective, that was way to close to a tragedy. With all of that force applied along the side of the water being countered by the friction of a couple tires on wet pavement, there could not have been much margine there before they would have been swept over. I take this as a reminder to not be afraid to say "I'm getting off" and figure out another way to where you are going rather than totally trusting the driver to not do something stupid.
Steven Jan 24th 2011 2:09PM
just think if a tire blew that all it would take to of turned out differently...
Dave Jan 24th 2011 2:46PM
This is incredibly dangerous! If the bus stalled from the deep water the people would never have been able to get out. If the bus was swept away the undertow of the water would have pinned the bus & all its occupants under water. There is a very powerful undertow created when water spilling over a waterfall such as this meets the river. All would have all perished. Have seen people killed in fire department training videos of situations such as this. Not worth the risk! Don't ever try this with any vehicle!
brooks Jan 24th 2011 2:59PM
water has a tremendous force still can't believe they made it
Jerry Jan 24th 2011 3:13PM
This has to be fake. No way can a bus, really a boat on wheels, not be washed over by the force of this water.
Ana Jan 25th 2011 12:47AM
unfortunately, it is not fake! its all real, actually if you click on more school bus footage you will see other buses coming back passing by the damp and people getting off the bus after they cross it. I have been in something similar in Honduras but with less force in the water
Brenda Jan 24th 2011 4:07PM
If my kids were in that bus, all I can say, is they better not ever do this with my children.
Steve Jan 24th 2011 4:27PM
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!
This is one of the stupidest acts I've ever seen humans do.
I still cannot believe this didn't turn out for the worse like it was meant to.
dustin Jan 24th 2011 4:52PM
it obviously wasn't meant to tumble into the river. otherwise, god, in his infinite wisdom, would've easily flipped it into the falls
stevie pop Jan 24th 2011 5:23PM
Obviously you people commenting have never driven a car or truck in any amount of moving water. Did you notice that the bottom of the bus was above the flow of the water?There was no major miracle taking place here.The force of the water was only against the bottom half of the 4 wheels (about 3 or 4 sq.ft. each) and that bus weighs a couple of tons easily. NOW, if it were a bit deeper and the river pushed on the side more.......glad my kids don't take that bus.
Daniel Faulkner Jan 24th 2011 6:09PM
I don't care what anyone says, there is no way in hell I would have stayed on that bus!!
stevie pop Jan 24th 2011 6:30PM
Daniel F.
A) Did we know if anyone was on that bus besides the guys on the back?
B) I wouldn't have stayed on it either.
Jody Jan 24th 2011 6:29PM
I suspect this driver had crossed this damn before when dry & knew it was completely level & smooth, next placed the weight inside over the axels, then let just enough air out of the tires to keep the tail pipe above water and put as much tread on the "ground" as possible, & lastly drove very slowly not to create a wake, vacuum, or get water in the tailpipe. People who live in flood areas know this stuff & often have to cross rushing rivers that were trickling creeks - I kept my inflatable dinghy in the bed of my Tundra with a long line tied to my door handle, sometimes adding air to lift the tailpipe higher, & sometimes deflating for more tread. But that 12' drop into the river - not me!!!
M. Peace Jan 24th 2011 6:36PM
I'm with Jerry this has to be fake
Bill Jan 24th 2011 9:02PM
This is not fake! This is the way people live in places around the world. Every day they take their lives into the hands of a crazy chicken bus driver. Many times the outcomes are not as good as this one turned out. They were fortunate the water did not push the bus over the falls.
BrOoKlyN Jan 24th 2011 6:59PM
LoL..!!!!!! THIS F%%% PLP don't have brains,retards..no way this humans are humans......!!!Nicaragua need a human tha understand wha is a brain!!!! next time u do tha call America so we build a bridge for u a cost of 2 $dollars..!!!
Jody Jan 24th 2011 7:02PM
I'm forwarding this to my principal where I teach school (we were both lifeguards) and recommend this video be shown in the school bus driver training at the begining of the year as a spoof. Bet it will get a few pot-smokon' drivers to quit before they start. lol!
Would make a real suspenseful segment in a Hollywood earthquake movie - driver trying to save the children from a landslide ( with dummies on the bus, an out-of-camera range towline, a helicopter with a hook above). Wow - 'Is there a Dr in the house?'
frank Jan 24th 2011 7:03PM
Was lucky that time , the next water will be 1/2 higher and they will be part of the gene [pool cleanining.
Mark Jan 24th 2011 7:09PM
I'm sure I was not the only one watching this video with the hope that the bus would go hurtling over the edge of the waterfall, the people sitting on top flying off into the bubbling waters. Is that wrong? Probably!