Really Happened in 1972

[Buzz]

For as long as I've been here I've heard the story as to why the windows on the bus open only about 5 inches. I was told a kid smashed his head against a telephone pole by I.S. 2. Didn't know the whole story or if it was even true.

Unfortunately, it IS true. Recently came across the Advance article about the incident. Even though it happened on a city bus the state DOT sometime afterward made it a regulation for school buses that limited the opening size of windows. This article from the Staten Island Advance, Friday, June 16, 1972:

[Golfnut]

I remember that story from when I was a kid ! In addition to that I remember a former driver telling me about it because he was there when it happened .

[PROUD MEMBER]

What a coincidence
Just yesterday a girl on the bus was sticking her arm out the window and I asked her to put it in then I told her a real life story about myself and a child hood friend.
50 years ago at age 15 my friend and I use to ride the city bus around the island at night during the summer time. One night obviously with the windows open my friend was leaning his arm on it and the bus hit a curb, his arm fell out the window and got bent backwards when it got caught on a telephone pole.
Even with the 5 inch windows it still very dangerous.

[Buzz]

You are right. 5 inches is enough for an arm, that's for sure.

[sbdriver1]

That's true. I was a student at Egbert when it happened

[Buzz]

That's true. I was a student at Egbert when it happened

Horrific! Can't imagine.