Two passengers were sent to the Emergency Room after the Greyhound Bus they were traveling in experienced mechanical issues on Interstate 10 near mile post 347, outside of Willcox.
According to the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, on Wednesday August 21, 2019 at approximately 2:30 p.m. the Greyhound Bus broke down. The bus had been travelling eastbound on the interstate with approximately thirty seven passengers when the failure occurred, leaving all of the people on board in the heat of the day.
Healthcare Innovations, an ambulance company, responded to reports of passengers who were experiencing distress due to the heat, along with the Arizona Department of Public Safety to assist with the situation.
Due to the excessive heat and health/safety concerns expressed by medical personnel on scene, Cochise County Emergency Services coordinated the opening of a Cooling Center at the Willcox High School by the American Red Cross and thirty five passengers were transported to the center by Willcox Unified School District personnel to await a replacement vehicle.
The Red Cross and Healthcare Innovations provided food and water to the travelers as they waited in the center. Two passengers were transported to Northern Cochise Community Hospital Emergency Room where they were treated and released.
At approximately 7:15 pm, a replacement bus arrived at the cooling center to transport the passengers to their original destination(s), and the center was closed.