NTSB investigating bus crash; status of amputation changes

Lisa Snedeker

Thursday, Sept. 14, 2000 | 2:50 a.m.

Federal safety investigators Thursday visited the remote site of a tour bus crash that injured dozens of British travelers near Tonopah a week ago.

Fifteen of the most seriously injured in the crash that hurt all 41 on board remained hospitalized in Reno and Las Vegas.

Hospital officials changed their description Thursday of one woman who earlier was reported to have lost both arms in the accident as the bus slid down the highway on its side.

Contrary to the hospital's report the night of the accident, Kathleen Robinson's arms have not been amputated, said Rick Plummer, a spokesman for University Medical Center in Las Vegas.

The condition of Robinson, 72, of Darby, England, was upgraded to fair Thursday, he said.

"They are unsure whether they can save her arms," Plummer said. "She lost skin, muscle and bone, but with reconstruction and plastic surgery they may be able to save them. She'll be here a few more weeks."

Howard Wingfield, 46, Darby, England, was among the other seven still hospitalized in Las Vegas. Wingfield had skin ripped away from his arms, Plummer said.

All 41 people aboard the bus were injured, but the driver, Lotfali Rankouh, 54, of San Diego and Robert Greenway, 56, of Solihull, England, were treated for minor scratches and released, Nevada State Trooper Alan Davidson said.

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation were at the crash site Thursday, he said.

The Nevada Highway Patrol is continuing its investigation, which is centering on "driver inattention." No charges have been filed against Rankouh pending the outcome of the investigation.

Officials are unsure what caused Rankouh to drift off the highway and overcorrect. The bus flipped on its side and slid 200 feet.

NHP Trooper Richard James said drugs or alcohol were not involved, and speed was not believed to be a factor.

Rankouh has a clean driving record in California.

The tourists were nearing the end of a 15-day jaunt, visiting sites in California, Utah and Nevada. They left Las Vegas and were en route to Mammoth Lakes, Calif., when the crash occurred last Thursday.

Two of the injured tourists were released from a Reno hospital on Thursday.

Several at Las Vegas have been upgraded to good condition:

James Culter, 64, of Edmonton; Bryan Davis, 56, of Bolten Dern; Mary Fames, 63, of Kensington; Gareth Owen, 69, and Sandra Owen, 56, both of Hummanford; and Maureen Laird, 52, of the United States.

"Those six could be headed back home as early as tomorrow (Friday)," Plummer said. "They are all very grateful for the level of medical care they have received in the United States."

Reno hospital officials said two passengers remain in serious condition, while one of the remaining four is in fair condition and three are reported in good condition.