NTSB INVESTIGATING EVACUATION BUS FIRE NEAR DALLAS

The National Transportation Safety Board has sent a team of investigators to the scene of a fire early this morning aboard a bus carrying evacuees away from the predicted path of hurricane Rita. The bus was traveling on Interstate 45 near Dallas, TX, when it became engulfed in flames. Initial reports indicate that there are 24 fatalities.

Investigators from the Board's regional office in Arlington, TX, are enroute. They will be joined by specialists from NTSB headquarters. The Investigator-in-Charge will be Gary Van Etten.

NTSB Chairman-Designate Ellen Engleman Conners will accompany the team and serve as principal spokesperson for the on-scene investigation.

Keith Holloway will be the NTSB public affairs officer with the team and, when he arrives at the site, can be reached at (202) 557-1350.

NTSB Media Contact in Washington, DC:
Paul Schlamm (202)-314-6100 or 6143