I went to this school in the 80s and early 90s. Mr Ray was my bus driver for K and 1st grade before he retired. He was also a friend of my parents and he kept the bus on his property out behind the barn. I think so no one would ever have to ride in it again and so no one would buy it and try to turn it into a tourist trap. He was a good guy with a ‘grumpy grandpa’ kind of personality. If kids were too loud or rambunctious on the bus he would yell at them that he’d pull over and make them walk home. Just joking of course and we all thought it was funny.
@@bigbadwoods4738 Chowchilla. It’s in Central Valley of California. The name is based on the Native American tribe that occupied the area. It’s still a relatively small town today, but back then it was incredibly small. For context, when I was a kid the town got its first traffic light. It was considered a really big deal.
@@leecourtney9968 He made his point!!! You can keep you woke joke liberalism to yourself. At least he kept his kids safe unlike you who would let them jump up and down, throw things, run up and down the isle.
@@leecourtney9968 I’m sorry you can’t read, but I clearly said he would JOKE about making kids walk, he never actually did it. An old man saying “Settle down kids or you’re walking home” is obviously a joke.
People underestimate children so much especially those who do not like children that is something that is so disturbing because all of us at one point Were children the potential in children is so large it's actually infinte
@@maurenejoypastor4639 Thank you for telling me Michael Marshall's name. I knew there was something more about this kid. Looked into the story and he wasn't even supposed to be on that bus in the first place but his mom had punished him for stealing beers the night before. The more you read into the case, the more it seems clear that Michael was the undisputed HERO in this case, and he doesn't even get enough credit. It has actually been said that Ed Ray was giving up on the situation while Michael was working tirelessly to try and save everyone.
For those wondering....the 14 year old HERO is named Mike Marshall...figured i would post it here so that others could celebrate him and his heroism as well. Incredible story and truly happy that everyone made it out alive!
I honestly started to think in the beginning that Mr. Ray will be the criminal of the story, but how wrong I was.. Outstanding performance. I am glad they got out and he really was a good man till the end. Hope he rests in peace.
27 counts of kidnapping amongst a slew of other charges and they were able to parole? If anyone should be a danger to society it's these guys. I hate the justice system
Many laws have been rewritten over the last 40 yrs. They were charged and sentenced based on the existing law @ the time. An example of this is marital rape wasn't considered a crime in most states in the 70s. It took until the early 90s for the last states to make it an official crime.
@ALTON SOILEAU there seem to be different laws according to who people are : she got the celebrity deal (which likely includes the fact that sh'e's white and wealthy). Now watch her capitalize on this somehow to enhance her career. I'm in Canada and it's no different here.
I think they probably did intend to let them go. They went through the effort of burying an entire van and filled it with mattresses, water and food. If they didn't intend to let them go there were so many easier ways. But I'm also pretty sure that once they got the money they would've been too cowardly to actually release the kids.
@ Death it's easy for thede scumbags... they should have been put in closed cages with no light for years ... to see how it feels to be buried alive ...
Especially when you look at the photos. No remorse, the 2 that were released on parole are looking DEAD INTO THE CAMERA while the lead guy isn’t(he still looks non remorseful) just something to think about. They felt like they had something to prove as well as needing money because of it being such a huge abduction.
@@jordansmith1790 He got heat for that back in the day if I remember correctly. But if the road was blocked he had to stop more or less wouldn't he? That part confuses me.
Words cannot describe how happy I am that this story ended with everyone alive. I was so worried it would be revealed that no one would have found them until decades later when the moving trucks top showed from under the dirt.
How else would the storyteller know details like what songs were sung on the bus and the teenager who said he wasn't gonna die without trying to escape? It was obvious there'd be at least one survivor.
@@scottj4641 the captors could just as easily made up the detail or attest to that happening, do you think they didnt hear them? They were in the same van.
@@katinasvenska I don't think these three kidnappers had one functioning brain cell between 'em. How long did they think their hostages would live with no ventilation?? It wouldn't have taken much time for all them to suffocate if they hadn't escaped. I would guess less than a few hours with that many frightened children in that moving truck.
My geometry teacher in high school “had swim practice so she missed the bus that day” she ALWAYS talked about it. Like... really? You DIDNT have to go through it so it’s traumatizing?
They should've been charged with attempted murder of all 27 passengers. Ffs, they all had lifelong consequences from it and if they didn't act quickly they would have died. Kidnapping charge is not enough.
The storytelling on this one was top tier. Giving us backstory on ed with the potential that he could be the villain in this story, then pulled the rug out from under us and it turns out ed has a heart of gold and turned out to be a hero. The kid that stood up was like the sidekick that got the jero back on track.. the happy ending for everyone... one of my fav videos you've done. Well done
Wow, now I know I'm the asshole, everyone else is saying sorry for your cousin, I didnt even read the comment and just noticed the numbers, sorry for posting without reading, I'm glad your cousin is okay
Well, the whole group of children and Ed would've died of lack of oxygen before it got sorted out. Thank goodness for the young man who provided inspiration, and for Ed, who knew that as the only adult, any attempt by him to rectify the situation would most likely get him killed, and he was obviously a man of integrity who felt utmost responsibility for the children. I heard about this but never knew how it turned out.
So much props to Ed and the older kids, especially Mike who wasn't going down like that. They all banded together, even the little kids giving aid and comfort to Ed and the older kids who tried and succeeded in rescue them. And it was so sweet of those kids to visit Ed in his last days. Completely shows that bond they all had with each other.
So glad it ended well and that Ed lived to be 91. So sweet of the children (adult's now), to continue seeing Ed throughout the year's. Grateful for a happy ending and that no one was hurt. Hopefully one day they will have peace and no anxiety. What a tragedy to go through such an awful situation. Good job EWU Crew!! And, Have a happy and healthy New Year 😊
I love how one of the older kids said "I'm not gonna die here without a fight". I read about this case a couple years ago on Wikipedia. It was truly amazing that they all made it through 16 agonizing hours of capture and freed themselves. I can't imagine the PTSD some of them have had to live with. But they're survivors who lived to tell their story and get the justice they deserved. The kidnappers were spoiled pieces of shit who came from money and were greedy. May they rot in hell when their time comes. Sorry if that offends anyone but that's how I feel. Rest in peace to Mr. Ed Ray!
@@christierella his name was Michael Marshall and Ed was the one who came up with the idea for stacking the mattresses with Michael's help. No need to be a butthole on the 1st day of a new year
Of all the crime documentaries, videos, and podcasts I listen to - I've never heard this before! I had a pit in my stomach the whole time and was so relieved this story had a happy outcome! What were those 3 idiots thinking?! In what world could anyone rationalize doing such a disgusting and evil thing?! Thankful Ed Ray and that 14 year old boy kept their heads and faith about them or 27 bright and beautiful individuals would have perished. Astonishing!
So much love and absolute thanks to those older boys, for singing to the younger ones and helping lead the struggle at getting out of there. And of course, to our hero Ed.
I was a few months from 10 years old when this was broadcast on the radio, day after day. It scared me so much that I blocked it from my memory until I was in my 40s and asked a friend if they remember hearing about this horrible incident. I wonder how they're doing now, decades later. If it was that horrifying for me hearing about it on the radio I cannot fathom how disturbing it would have been for the kids involved.
HOW IS THIS THE FIRST TIME I Have ever heard of this story!?!?!?!? Whoaaa!!! Gotta give it up to EWU for bringing us another grand slam! Happy New Years y'all! One love
Yes nobody ever talks about it it's amazing story if you really look at it they had no cell phones at that time. They have none of it like nausea we have today. It was so scary living in that area during that time not knowing if you guys were going to be next or not those kids and Ray were so strong
Oh yes the 1976 Chowchilla Kidnapping. It’s truly beyond a miracle that all the victims survived and were able to dig themselves out. Rest in peace to the bus driver Ed. He was truly a hero. I think all of the kidnappers should’ve gotten life without the possibility of parole. Be safe out here fam and Happy New Year!
There should be a verdict that says the law no longer protects the guilty. So let them walk free but make murder legal against them so they never know when it will come for them
I remember my grandpa telling me about this years ago. All because 3 guys were irresponsible with their money. They should have gotten life without parole.
Life without Parole??? Are you insane? Bcoz any animal willing to do this to 26 CHiLDReN should have been beaten or torchured to death.. Wow some leniency you have for some of the Animals that live in this world,, Sad just imagine had 1 of them 26 kids been 1 of yours would ya still feel the same way?
They should have gotten life without parole???? Are you insane? Bcoz you cant be all there to say such a comment bcoz a Real human being would have wanted them men to pay with their LIFES in the most horrific of ways you Scumabg.. imagine if 1 of them kids would have been 1 of yours?? Would ya still feel the same way?
These monsters should have been buried alive, not paid for by the taxpayers with meals, shelter and medical care and then let loose. This is our court system people!
Well dude the way ya said it I mean kinda sounded like i thought you were 1 of them people out there that dont believe in the death penalty and all but ya them animals should have never been let out i mean to see a Country were killing an adult some people get death row for and for these bastards to be let out is shocking to me i just dont know what's wrong with our so called " Hardened Convicts to have allowed for these guys to all live out their sentences I mean this is the most disturbing documentary I have ever ever seen on UA-cam I mean 26 kids to be buried alive and these people get out of jail I would have rather not ever seen this content man ,,,my apologies to ya I was just so disturbed by this ,,,my brother has been on death row now for almost 20 years for defending himself at a bar and bcoz his the man he killed was a son of a Cop he is waiting to die like an animals a man with no priors only 23 years old at the time so when I see things like this its tuff ,,I apologize man. Happy New Year.
It's another failure of the court system. These monsters should have never been released. Disgusting. I'm glad everyone made it out alive. Never heard about this case. That teenager saved them all. I love leaders that refuse to allow others to end them.
THANK GOD FOR THIS BUS DRIVER AND THESE BRAVE BOYS!!! brought tears to my eyes so good to see a happy ending once in awhile. Sad for the children who suffered and struggled afterwards :( RIP HERO ED RAY!
It's a constant thought in my mind: every minute I'm sitting here comfortably, there's a horrific trauma being perpetrated on someone. The question arises, why is man his own worst enemy? Born as cute little babies, and turning into monsters. Why.
@@brettrobinson2901 there's also WHAT are we. As an artist I admire the human body for its design and function (the hardware), but the operating system is a mess. Whoever created us did a C- job!!!
I can't watch "buried alive stories". This one is an exception because I remember it too. My son had just been born on the 8th of July, and I remember being terrified at the thought that something like this could happen to him someday. I was so relieved when they reported that the children and bus driver had all escaped.
I was legit SO worried that ED gas snapped and done something horrible to those kids; but he was a trooper who worked hard to save everyone’s lives and he never gave up. Nothing but respect for Ed and the teenage boys!
Don't understand how 2 of the Kidnappers were paroled , they could have murdered all the children if they had not escaped.This is the first I've ever heard of this horrible crime.
Well, they did spend nearly 50 years in prison before being paroled....I agree they should be in for life but maybe they wont do something like that again now they're in their 70s?
They were sentenced with possibility of parole because the court determined that no bodily harm was done to the kids. Kids were a lot tougher in the 70s and could handle things better (not like today's snowflakes), that's why the kidnappers didn't get harsher sentences.
0:15 many of us were taught to never talk to strangers or get into the car with a stranger . Fast forward to 2021 ( happy new year!) we have food delivered by strangers, we have rideshare apps that people uses to get into the car with strangers, we have websites dedicated to talking to strangers, and on and on! So todays world is a bit of an oddity anyway cause of that. Great video as always though.
Legit. The ride share apps scare me. After living in Kalamazoo, Mi with the psychotic man who went around killing random people in the community because “his phone told him to” while picking up people for Uber (the passengers were ok). Big nope for me after that.
luckily, if these people ever got kidnapped by the apps, police would be able to track them by their phones. trust me, people aren't that dumb, the apps are actually safer than taking a random untrackable ride
Excellent response and sometimes the delivery person or driver is the victim. Also real estate agents have been raped and killed showing a house alone on a weekend evening after work when people can see the house without making up work hours and the agent is so excited about a possible commission they go into a home with a stranger
This story was such a nail biter😮! It’s so good they were able to escape this situation sounds beyond scary. I couldn’t imagine that happening to my kindergartener. 😢
If you harm women or children and sentenced to prison your not even accepted by the prisoners in jail. Even the worst of the worst criminals have standards but these guys are scum bags
I just moved to Livermore when this happened. I think of this every time I drive pass the Quarry. I don't know how they could have been released from prison. Ever.
Actually if you read your Bible carefully, Mr. Ed Ray is not yet in heaven. He sleeps in the grave until the judgement. When Christ comes the second time, He will resurrect all the righteous who are asleep in the grave and at that time, the righteous will go with Christ into heaven. I do hope Mr. Ray is among the righteous. He did very well under the circumstances to play a part in saving those children
@@SeventhDayMessages actually, if you read the Bible carefully, good works wont get you to heaven, you can save thousands of childrens lives and still not go. the only way is to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
@@SeventhDayMessages how about both of you stop reading fiction from 3500 years ago and spreading false information just because you’re scared of dying and that being the end of it. There may be something greater than us, but the bible is written by man, no one else. FICTION
11 hours in a van full of hungry, restless, terrified kids...Ed is an amazing human being, I would have lost it and been killed before we even got there but Ed knew they needed him. The older kids were heroes as well
Ed and that older boy are heroes. I have so much respect for school bus drivers. It must have been so incredibly difficult to try and hold it together for the younger kids. They did an amazing job.
I remember hearing this story when it happened, but over the yrs I had forgotten all the details. I was in my early 20;s at the time. This is an absolutely terrifying story. All those children could have died. Ray was a true hero. He got them all organized and got them out and free. He deserved to be honored and loved.
I just rewatched this video because the story just continues to amaze me. Then today I’m reading Fredrick Newhall was accepted for parole after being denied 17 times. 💔 The fact that he will be able to be out in the world after something that couldn’t have ended so tragically if they had not escaped is just horrible.
In 1976 i was in the first grade, i m now 53. The dude was in his late 20, so u suppose he is in his late 70 now, not so much damage he can cause onto others. But personally i think the all 3 should have got capital punishment
@@bambinaforever1402 Totally agree, I just hate the idea he has the chance to do anything you know? He may be older but I feel like that’s also a lot scarier since he could easily take the approach of not having much left why not do something else. If that makes sense. Unfortunately there’s still a lot of harm he could easily be capable of, maybe not stealing a bus of kids but with freedom he’s got a lot more possibilities than being behind bars. Just even thinking of the area I’m in where people tend to drive well past what they should lol too many chances to try and cause harm. Definitely just wish he would have just stayed in there, like I said especially since if they didn’t have help it would have ended so differently. 💔
I understand where you're coming from, but the guy spent 46 years in prison for something he did when he was 24. He is 70+ now. I think it is reasonable to let him live the rest of his life in peace.
@@thayspamacheno628f they hadn’t escaped though? They all would have died. That would be 26 lives he had taken. And it was only by sheer luck and effort they managed to escape. If a mass shooter shot with the intent to kill 26 people but they all survived, I would still consider him unworthy of living out his old age in peace. I don’t think he should be able to walk free based on not his own remorse for the crime but his victims ability to escape their situation.
Been watching this channel for a while now, but I have to say this. This channel is better than any show on Investigation Discovery. Every detail is explained, every interrogation, it is broke down and explained the different techniques investigators use. It’s just beyond informative. I can’t get enough. Because of this channel, I understand completely the REID technique and I understand how investigators do what they do. Not that I plan on every getting into trouble, I’ve spent 31 years without trouble and plan to continue that streak. But if I ever did find myself in a situation where I’m speaking with investigators, I would know what to look for now. 😂 but in all seriousness, this channel is phenomenal and probably my favorite on you tube!
I don't feel embarrassed to say that I was feeling so claustrophobic and anxiety and panic attack!! Only thing I can say is the power and endurance and thinking of taking lead.....hero... my my what a superstar 👃👌👍
Omg this story really made me cry, from the stress of hearing about babies in distress and the wholesomeness of the children visiting Ed. 😢 I'm so glad everyone was safe.
When I was around 10ish, I kept having horrible nightmares about my school class being kidnapped and buried in a hole. I had them for a couple of years, never knew why or where they came from (it was especially weird since I never remembered my dreams). I always wondered why, but thought maybe it was something I saw in a movie. Then I see this - I was 10 in 1976. Now I know why - I'm assuming I saw something, maybe a newspaper or my parents were watching the news, and it stuck. To this day I still remember those dreams, they were that clear.
I can relate to that very much. Every so often growing up I would have a nightmare about a woman having to suffocate her crying infant to prevent a group of people from being caught and killed by someone bad. It wasn't until years later as an adult that I realized that something along those lines happened in the finale of a show my dad always watched. It's amazing how something we hear in the background as children can stick with us.
That's actually extremely horrific what happened to those kids, and to Ed. I'm grateful that in all 4 years of high school this never happened to anyone in our school.
In the kindest way possible, that teenage boy was the real hero. Without him inspiring Ed we don't know what would have happened. And then the kid (I think it was a different one) who was brave enough to crawl through the opening first despite not knowing if their captors were there to catch them. Ed absolutely is a hero here too, and clearly the children felt that way, but those kids are the ones that sparked the escape
Ray looks just like my dad. I'm so glad that this played out the way it did, the ptsd will never go away but the idea that this could have ended with these kids and this hero of a man meeting their ends in such a terrible way is a relief.
What an amazing man. So often we hear things that are so terrible we condition ourselves to get used to it but hearing these stories makes your heart warm
Edd Ray was very brave and the boys did really well in helping escape. So glad they never forgot him. They would have suffocated had they not used their initiative. I can’t believe those men were released. It could have so easily been 27 deaths they’d have been responsible for.
I wasn't born till a year later but living in Northern CA I've seen this on TV a couple times. But you went into details I didn't know about. Great video as always.
Damn this hits in all the spots-- as a parent, as a teacher, as a sister who had to care for younger siblings etc.... this one triggers all the worst feelings 💔💔💔
i’m halfway through and i’ve head this story before but the first thing that’s coming to my mind now is this sounds like human trafficking. they took a whole bus full of kids and buried them with mattresses, food, and water. it seems like they were trying to keep them out of sight for a bit and then go back to move them. what do i know tho🤷🏼♀️
I remember when this happened (I was in elementary school at the time.) It terrified everyone. I can't believe there are people who don't know about this event. How about more people give some fame to survivors instead of serial killers for a change? You know that's why they aren't remembered - they survived. Well, here's to hoping more missing people are found alive in 2021.
I was in the 6th grade and remember it well,it terrified me and caused quite a few nightmares and I wasn't even involved so I can't even imagine what they went through.
I got goosebumps all over my body just hearing this, especially when they were being buried in dirt. That must have been so horrifying especially to the children. Kudos to that teenage boy who refused to give up and to Ed who shepherded the kids.
Those teenage boys were truly something else. If I were fourteen in that situation, I would have panicked and cried like the others. Even though the teens were the oldest, they were still kids in the long run. But they kept calm and managed to save everyone with strength, smarts, and determination.
I remember this story! I was 12 years old at the time. I became terrified to ride the school bus after this. My mom drove me back & forth to & from school every day after this news story, until I graduated from high school. Thanks, EWU!!
This happened when I was in elementary school. The times were changing fast and opportunistic, gratuitous violence against innocent people permeated our evening news at dinner and began to erase the traditional freedoms of childhood. The nation held it's breath, waiting for news of the Chowchilla children and their school bus driver. I think most of the nation was grateful for their return and for their driver's care for his young charges.
Thank god they all survived, that's the best part! Now I am motivated to fight back in any situation after seeing their energy going into saving themselves 🙏
One thing I love most about this channel is that the stories you share here open my eyes on the world we live in. I have never heard about this case and if someone told me this I would never believe it.
I was a teenager when this happened, living in Illinois. What a truly horrible thing to have happened to all these kids and bus driver. One funny thing is I always thought until this video , that it was the school bus that was buried. If they hadn't gotten out they would have been dead because of suffocation. That 14 year old that initiated the Breakout was also a hero.
This is an incredible story of self survival. When people are work together whether the people concerned are adults and children it’s amazing what can be achieved. An incredible bunch of children. Thank god they all got home.
This is so true, ive been absolutely absorbed with true crime stories and one thing i keep thinking about...is why didn't the people fight back or at least try? People often forget theirs power in numbers. Even if you know your gonna die, bite scrach and kick like your life delends on it. Because someone might notice the new scratches and bruses and connect them to the crime.
This is the second time now that i learned about a crazy crime in my home town from a random youtube video. I have never heard of this before but i grew up right next to those quarries. weird.
I went to this school in the 80s and early 90s. Mr Ray was my bus driver for K and 1st grade before he retired. He was also a friend of my parents and he kept the bus on his property out behind the barn. I think so no one would ever have to ride in it again and so no one would buy it and try to turn it into a tourist trap. He was a good guy with a ‘grumpy grandpa’ kind of personality. If kids were too loud or rambunctious on the bus he would yell at them that he’d pull over and make them walk home. Just joking of course and we all thought it was funny.
Is this in Coachella? I couldn’t tell because of how it was pronounced. I mean hard to say if you aren’t from there obviously😂
@@bigbadwoods4738 Chowchilla. It’s in Central Valley of California. The name is based on the Native American tribe that occupied the area. It’s still a relatively small town today, but back then it was incredibly small. For context, when I was a kid the town got its first traffic light. It was considered a really big deal.
So what's yr point? He should have been fired for making the children walk home. What a piece of shit!!!!!!
@@leecourtney9968 He made his point!!! You can keep you woke joke liberalism to yourself. At least he kept his kids safe unlike you who would let them jump up and down, throw things, run up and down the isle.
@@leecourtney9968 I’m sorry you can’t read, but I clearly said he would JOKE about making kids walk, he never actually did it. An old man saying “Settle down kids or you’re walking home” is obviously a joke.
That made me cry that the kids visited Ed before he died. What a hero along with the older kids.
Same here
😭😭😭
Me too
Same
it can make a grown man cry! I was so elated
Hearing the dirt being shoveled on top of the van must have been terrifying.
Honestly I was having a panic attack listening to the video. Absolutely terrifying
Worst way ever total beyond nightmare 😳
Terrifies me just thinking of it
I want to throw a shout-out to the teenage boy that stood up and got ed motivated. Without him. Who knows
You can see him standing beside Ed in the picture at 19:15. Shout out to that man for real!! What a hero.
People underestimate children so much especially those who do not like children that is something that is so disturbing because all of us at one point Were children the potential in children is so large it's actually infinte
He's Michael Marshall...
Real talk! God had em!
@@maurenejoypastor4639 Thank you for telling me Michael Marshall's name. I knew there was something more about this kid. Looked into the story and he wasn't even supposed to be on that bus in the first place but his mom had punished him for stealing beers the night before. The more you read into the case, the more it seems clear that Michael was the undisputed HERO in this case, and he doesn't even get enough credit. It has actually been said that Ed Ray was giving up on the situation while Michael was working tirelessly to try and save everyone.
For those wondering....the 14 year old HERO is named Mike Marshall...figured i would post it here so that others could celebrate him and his heroism as well. Incredible story and truly happy that everyone made it out alive!
He was a really brave young man who wasn't ready to die!
11:02 Raven named him.
Thank you for restating that, it gets lost in the details that he helped!
I always knew eminem would save lives
Spoilers
I honestly started to think in the beginning that Mr. Ray will be the criminal of the story, but how wrong I was.. Outstanding performance. I am glad they got out and he really was a good man till the end. Hope he rests in peace.
SAME
27 counts of kidnapping amongst a slew of other charges and they were able to parole? If anyone should be a danger to society it's these guys. I hate the justice system
Rich white privilege
Many laws have been rewritten over the last 40 yrs. They were charged and sentenced based on the existing law @ the time.
An example of this is marital rape wasn't considered a crime in most states in the 70s. It took until the early 90s for the last states to make it an official crime.
Especially in California.
@ALTON SOILEAU there seem to be different laws according to who people are : she got the celebrity deal (which likely includes the fact that sh'e's white and wealthy). Now watch her capitalize on this somehow to enhance her career. I'm in Canada and it's no different here.
Sorry! I thought we were talking about the college scandal, but still same mentality
They never intended to let those children go.
Those kidnappers should never have been released.
I think they probably did intend to let them go. They went through the effort of burying an entire van and filled it with mattresses, water and food. If they didn't intend to let them go there were so many easier ways.
But I'm also pretty sure that once they got the money they would've been too cowardly to actually release the kids.
@@hooliganbubsy7298 agree.
@ Death it's easy for thede scumbags... they should have been put in closed cages with no light for years ... to see how it feels to be buried alive ...
@@O6i You do it because "We the people" doesn't include me.
Especially when you look at the photos. No remorse, the 2 that were released on parole are looking DEAD INTO THE CAMERA while the lead guy isn’t(he still looks non remorseful) just something to think about. They felt like they had something to prove as well as needing money because of it being such a huge abduction.
I thought dude was gonna be the asshole but hey, he ended up being pretty cool.
Hahahahah We thought the same 🤣
Hey man spoilers lol
Hes a fucking idiot for pulling over to inspect a van on the road while he has a bus full of children
@@jordansmith1790 He got heat for that back in the day if I remember correctly. But if the road was blocked he had to stop more or less wouldn't he? That part confuses me.
At first the bus driver was under suspicion by the law when they all disappeared.
Words cannot describe how happy I am that this story ended with everyone alive. I was so worried it would be revealed that no one would have found them until decades later when the moving trucks top showed from under the dirt.
How else would the storyteller know details like what songs were sung on the bus and the teenager who said he wasn't gonna die without trying to escape? It was obvious there'd be at least one survivor.
@@scottj4641 the captors could just as easily made up the detail or attest to that happening, do you think they didnt hear them? They were in the same van.
14-year old kid had a legit shonen powerup , mad respect
Shonen power up! Hahahaha amazing expression.
nigga had plot armor there was no way he was dying
@@user-sx4qu4dz9z the best plot armor out there
Friend-protection boost
🎉 offered
If they hadn't acted quickly, they all would have suffocated. Horrible way to die.
No.They wanted them alive.
@Nevaeh Chanski Didn't seem like there was any kind of ventilation in the truck, said that oxygen was running out (?)
@@katinasvenska I don't think these three kidnappers had one functioning brain cell between 'em. How long did they think their hostages would live with no ventilation?? It wouldn't have taken much time for all them to suffocate if they hadn't escaped. I would guess less than a few hours with that many frightened children in that moving truck.
G💙D BLESS THE 15YEAR OLD WHO SAID I AINT GOING OUT LIKE THIS ❣️❣️❣️❣️HELPED SAVE THEM ALL HUH
Ugh like worst fear
my husband went to school with these kids. he said the kids involved never got over this trauma.
Bless their hearts. That’s heartbreaking. 😞
i feel bad for them this is so very hope those kidnappers burn and punished in hell
My geometry teacher in high school “had swim practice so she missed the bus that day” she ALWAYS talked about it. Like... really? You DIDNT have to go through it so it’s traumatizing?
I am sure!!! I’d have nightmares forever!!!
@@Kickflipguy Might be because of the shock. It could have happened to her as well. She was lucky she missed the bus that day.
Wow. This was an awful crime, but also SO poorly executed. I’m glad those three idiots got caught.
They should've been charged with attempted murder of all 27 passengers. Ffs, they all had lifelong consequences from it and if they didn't act quickly they would have died. Kidnapping charge is not enough.
I'm glad the hostages escaped because they would of died before the ransom money was received. Attempted murder charges would of been ideal.
Dianna H agreed. Not sure how you’re supposed to collect a ransom when everyone’s already died of oxygen deprivation
@@kokoskokso It is insane to think that two of these men are walking free at this very moment.
@@kim-ex8wl yes they would have died very quickly
The 14 year old boy who stood up and refused to die without trying is the real hero in this story.
Thats what i felt. I mean i believe ed helped as well of course but the 14 year old knocked sense into him
Was disappointed to hear that the bus driver gave up and just cried. I get it.. but yeah, the kids the real hero for sure 💕
The storytelling on this one was top tier. Giving us backstory on ed with the potential that he could be the villain in this story, then pulled the rug out from under us and it turns out ed has a heart of gold and turned out to be a hero. The kid that stood up was like the sidekick that got the jero back on track.. the happy ending for everyone... one of my fav videos you've done.
Well done
At the beginning, I was all "wtf did Ed do" . So happy he was the good guy
Thank you Ed and older boys for saving my cousin John E. He was the boy shielding his eyes from the sun.
So glad he made it. What an awful thing to happen to them.
im so sorry about this
I'm glad that your cousin came out physically ok and really hope he was able to mentally as well..
Liked the comment just to make it 666
Wow, now I know I'm the asshole, everyone else is saying sorry for your cousin, I didnt even read the comment and just noticed the numbers, sorry for posting without reading, I'm glad your cousin is okay
Well, the whole group of children and Ed would've died of lack of oxygen before it got sorted out.
Thank goodness for the young man who provided inspiration, and for Ed, who knew that as the only adult, any attempt by him to rectify the situation would most likely get him killed, and he was obviously a man of integrity who felt utmost responsibility for the children.
I heard about this but never knew how it turned out.
What a great hero and personality!!! He dedicated his whole life to children ...
So much props to Ed and the older kids, especially Mike who wasn't going down like that. They all banded together, even the little kids giving aid and comfort to Ed and the older kids who tried and succeeded in rescue them. And it was so sweet of those kids to visit Ed in his last days. Completely shows that bond they all had with each other.
Can't even imagine what those kids went through.huge respect for ED and other boys who helped
Oh my jeez, as a mom this is TERRIFYING!! I can see why noone talks about this, I've never heard of this crime before.😕I have to go lay down now.....
I have never heard of this one until now.
I read about it once hard to believe this could happen
Look out for Brooke Makenna, she do often rare true crime history, i learned this terrifying case in one of her video.
Me too
So glad it ended well and that Ed lived to be 91. So sweet of the children (adult's now), to continue seeing Ed throughout the year's. Grateful for a happy ending and that no one was hurt. Hopefully one day they will have peace and no anxiety. What a tragedy to go through such an awful situation.
Good job EWU Crew!! And, Have a happy and healthy New Year 😊
I love how one of the older kids said "I'm not gonna die here without a fight". I read about this case a couple years ago on Wikipedia. It was truly amazing that they all made it through 16 agonizing hours of capture and freed themselves. I can't imagine the PTSD some of them have had to live with. But they're survivors who lived to tell their story and get the justice they deserved. The kidnappers were spoiled pieces of shit who came from money and were greedy. May they rot in hell when their time comes. Sorry if that offends anyone but that's how I feel. Rest in peace to Mr. Ed Ray!
Mike Marshal, was the teenager & true hero of this event. The bus driver was crying with the other children.
@@christierella his name was Michael Marshall and Ed was the one who came up with the idea for stacking the mattresses with Michael's help. No need to be a butthole on the 1st day of a new year
@@heidih3048 yes they were all heroes. They consoled each other and worked together to free themselves.
Yo, I have SEVERE claustrophobia. This would be ABSOLUTE hell for me. I would have died.
@@heidih3048 l
Of all the crime documentaries, videos, and podcasts I listen to - I've never heard this before! I had a pit in my stomach the whole time and was so relieved this story had a happy outcome! What were those 3 idiots thinking?! In what world could anyone rationalize doing such a disgusting and evil thing?! Thankful Ed Ray and that 14 year old boy kept their heads and faith about them or 27 bright and beautiful individuals would have perished.
Astonishing!
same here i diddnt know bout it until recently
This is a horrible story but I am so glad no one died due to the crime. Ed is such a hero. Bless his soul
I’m so glad they managed to escape. Being buried alive is my biggest fear, that must have been terrifying.
Never heard this story. Sounds like the teenage boy was the real hero. He's the one who took the initiative to attempt escape.
He was the driving motivation for ed
I agree
Agreed
@@wal33du Ed was crying while the teenage boy was trying to find a solution.
Make a great film too.
So much love and absolute thanks to those older boys, for singing to the younger ones and helping lead the struggle at getting out of there. And of course, to our hero Ed.
I was a few months from 10 years old when this was broadcast on the radio, day after day. It scared me so much that I blocked it from my memory until I was in my 40s and asked a friend if they remember hearing about this horrible incident. I wonder how they're doing now, decades later. If it was that horrifying for me hearing about it on the radio I cannot fathom how disturbing it would have been for the kids involved.
A few months from ten years old… so basically you was 9 at that time lol are you ashamed admitting you was 9 ?lol
@@ELTRIZOMIK Theyre just being descriptive you nit-picking weirdo, go bother someone else.
HOW IS THIS THE FIRST TIME I Have ever heard of this story!?!?!?!? Whoaaa!!! Gotta give it up to EWU for bringing us another grand slam!
Happy New Years y'all! One love
It was in the National news extensively
Yes nobody ever talks about it it's amazing story if you really look at it they had no cell phones at that time. They have none of it like nausea we have today. It was so scary living in that area during that time not knowing if you guys were going to be next or not those kids and Ray were so strong
same!!
Also there is a film can’t remember what it’s called. Watched it years ago
Happy New Year to you and all too !
Oh yes the 1976 Chowchilla Kidnapping. It’s truly beyond a miracle that all the victims survived and were able to dig themselves out. Rest in peace to the bus driver Ed. He was truly a hero. I think all of the kidnappers should’ve gotten life without the possibility of parole. Be safe out here fam and Happy New Year!
The kidnappers should've been buried alive
Whoever is willing to kidnap kids should be terminated I agree
Oof 😐 forget about it
NO WAY THESE ASS HATS SHOULD HAVE ALL BEEN EXECUTED WEEKS LATER AFTER BEING CAUGHT!
There should be a verdict that says the law no longer protects the guilty. So let them walk free but make murder legal against them so they never know when it will come for them
Those guys should have never gotten out of Prison after they traumatized those kids😪
Wow it makes no sense, that they would get out
@@agood1 I know
I agree. And all 3 of them should have had 27 counts of attempted murder added to their charges.
AGREE WITH THAT. LIFE MAN LIFE IN PRISON
Money talks! Their rich relative had good lawyers, that's why they were let out of prison too soon!
I’m not sure why this video made me cry! The bravery and strength Ed portrayed for those kids out of the pureness of his heart is so touching
Well done edd , I believe that 14 years old boy deserves some credit ! He was inspiring and brave and made the first move! Respect!
Three men that caused PTSD for all these children and Ed. Bless them all.
There was no such thing as PTSD in 1976.
@@tonydio666 i know.
@@tonydio666 Yes there was try reading a book
@@tonydio666 guess you never went to school
@@azynkron ummm im a witch so no not super into relions. Blessings are positive energies sent.
I remember my grandpa telling me about this years ago. All because 3 guys were irresponsible with their money. They should have gotten life without parole.
Life without Parole??? Are you insane? Bcoz any animal willing to do this to 26 CHiLDReN should have been beaten or torchured to death.. Wow some leniency you have for some of the Animals that live in this world,, Sad just imagine had 1 of them 26 kids been 1 of yours would ya still feel the same way?
They should have gotten life without parole???? Are you insane? Bcoz you cant be all there to say such a comment bcoz a Real human being would have wanted them men to pay with their LIFES in the most horrific of ways you Scumabg.. imagine if 1 of them kids would have been 1 of yours?? Would ya still feel the same way?
These monsters should have been buried alive, not paid for by the taxpayers with meals, shelter and medical care and then let loose. This is our court system people!
No, what's insane is letting them out of prison after a number of years. That's why I said they should have gotten life without parole.
Well dude the way ya said it I mean kinda sounded like i thought you were 1 of them people out there that dont believe in the death penalty and all but ya them animals should have never been let out i mean to see a Country were killing an adult some people get death row for and for these bastards to be let out is shocking to me i just dont know what's wrong with our so called " Hardened Convicts to have allowed for these guys to all live out their sentences I mean this is the most disturbing documentary I have ever ever seen on UA-cam I mean 26 kids to be buried alive and these people get out of jail I would have rather not ever seen this content man ,,,my apologies to ya I was just so disturbed by this ,,,my brother has been on death row now for almost 20 years for defending himself at a bar and bcoz his the man he killed was a son of a Cop he is waiting to die like an animals a man with no priors only 23 years old at the time so when I see things like this its tuff ,,I apologize man. Happy New Year.
It's another failure of the court system. These monsters should have never been released. Disgusting.
I'm glad everyone made it out alive. Never heard about this case. That teenager saved them all. I love leaders that refuse to allow others to end them.
White privilage
@@ramirocolon6814 Hell yeah
@@ramirocolon6814 why u have to make this a color thing .. seriously .
@@ramirocolon6814 privilege*
@@albertawheat6832 how a true mexican would say....Pero me entendistes puñetas...
Surprised I've never heard of this story before! I was literally on the edge of my couch stressing out. Horrifying, and incredible.
THANK GOD FOR THIS BUS DRIVER AND THESE BRAVE BOYS!!! brought tears to my eyes so good to see a happy ending once in awhile. Sad for the children who suffered and struggled afterwards :( RIP HERO ED RAY!
It's a constant thought in my mind: every minute I'm sitting here comfortably, there's a horrific trauma being perpetrated on someone. The question arises, why is man his own worst enemy? Born as cute little babies, and turning into monsters. Why.
One of the eternal mysteries of life.....why are we , WHO we are?
@@brettrobinson2901 there's also WHAT are we. As an artist I admire the human body for its design and function (the hardware), but the operating system is a mess. Whoever created us did a C- job!!!
@@lloydrobert6182 NOT TRUE !....you owe the stork owned ACME baby-building kit company a BIIIIG apology!
@@brettrobinson2901 yeah, sure! Now that we see the brighter side of it! Happy New Year, Brett!
@@lloydrobert6182You too, brother.
I remember this, buried alive stories are hard for me to finish. Can't imagine this happening to anyone, esp children
I remember it too Pam. I was living in San Fran.
I can't watch "buried alive stories". This one is an exception because I remember it too. My son had just been born on the 8th of July, and I remember being terrified at the thought that something like this could happen to him someday. I was so relieved when they reported that the children and bus driver had all escaped.
Wow, I've never heard this story. What a phenomenal effort. Ed and the older boys are true heroes.
I was legit SO worried that ED gas snapped and done something horrible to those kids; but he was a trooper who worked hard to save everyone’s lives and he never gave up.
Nothing but respect for Ed and the teenage boys!
Their escape is unbelievable. Shout out Ed and all of them for not giving up.
Don't understand how 2 of the Kidnappers were paroled , they could have murdered all the children if they had not escaped.This is the first I've ever heard of this horrible crime.
What's even worse . One of them
got married 3 times (!) while in
prison. ! !
Probably argued that they are just following Frederick (the leader) orders and manage to get parole by that
Well, they did spend nearly 50 years in prison before being paroled....I agree they should be in for life but maybe they wont do something like that again now they're in their 70s?
They were sentenced with possibility of parole because the court determined that no bodily harm was done to the kids. Kids were a lot tougher in the 70s and could handle things better (not like today's snowflakes), that's why the kidnappers didn't get harsher sentences.
@@ptrekboxbreaks5198 even elderly people commit murder pretty often; I wouldn't trust them ever
Best way to end the first day of 2021: getting comfy in bed and waiting for "what is up EWU crew" cause you know these guys never disappoint.
Facts!
Definitely 👍
damn i would die watching this before sleeping
Funny I'm watching this on the first day of 2022
0:15 many of us were taught to never talk to strangers or get into the car with a stranger . Fast forward to 2021 ( happy new year!) we have food delivered by strangers, we have rideshare apps that people uses to get into the car with strangers, we have websites dedicated to talking to strangers, and on and on! So todays world is a bit of an oddity anyway cause of that. Great video as always though.
Legit. The ride share apps scare me. After living in Kalamazoo, Mi with the psychotic man who went around killing random people in the community because “his phone told him to” while picking up people for Uber (the passengers were ok). Big nope for me after that.
Yep and bad things happen bc criminals do all these jobs
Okay man youre making yourself sound old AF. The whole point in the apps being developed is so that things are done in a safe manner.
luckily, if these people ever got kidnapped by the apps, police would be able to track them by their phones. trust me, people aren't that dumb, the apps are actually safer than taking a random untrackable ride
Excellent response and sometimes the delivery person or driver is the victim. Also real estate agents have been raped and killed showing a house alone on a weekend evening after work when people can see the house without making up work hours and the agent is so excited about a possible commission they go into a home with a stranger
This story was such a nail biter😮! It’s so good they were able to escape this situation sounds beyond scary. I couldn’t imagine that happening to my kindergartener. 😢
You know what's more scary? they were paroled this year.
@@WikiZeruel omg no 😱🤯
I remember reading about this story when I was younger and totally forgot about it until now. Crazy what they all went through. Those boys are amazing
This was one of the most psychotic crimes I’ve ever heard of. Who in their sane minds do shit like this???
They obviously weren’t sane to do something like that
If you harm women or children and sentenced to prison your not even accepted by the prisoners in jail. Even the worst of the worst criminals have standards but these guys are scum bags
I know right, I still don't understand how you've a moving buried van?
Humans, wooshhh
One of the most awful feelings is when you can't stop your panic from taking over. My heart breaks for Ed and the children
Narration is super good, and great voice.
He could read my "to do" list and make it sound sensation!! 😍
I just moved to Livermore when this happened. I think of this every time I drive pass the Quarry. I don't know how they could have been released from prison. Ever.
That was horrifically fascinating. I had NEVER heard of this case. This video was very well put together. Thanks.
Mr. Ed Ray is now in heaven. Definitely God rewarded his labor of love and kindness to the children under his care.
God bless us all.
Actually if you read your Bible carefully, Mr. Ed Ray is not yet in heaven. He sleeps in the grave until the judgement. When Christ comes the second time, He will resurrect all the righteous who are asleep in the grave and at that time, the righteous will go with Christ into heaven. I do hope Mr. Ray is among the righteous. He did very well under the circumstances to play a part in saving those children
@@SeventhDayMessages actually, if you read the Bible carefully, good works wont get you to heaven, you can save thousands of childrens lives and still not go. the only way is to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
@@johnn3987 But if you read your Bible carefully, there will be those who make it to heaven and have never heard of Jesus. See Zechariah 13:6
@@SeventhDayMessages how about both of you stop reading fiction from 3500 years ago and spreading false information just because you’re scared of dying and that being the end of it. There may be something greater than us, but the bible is written by man, no one else. FICTION
Actually Ed is the one responsible for stopping the bus which HE SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE@SeventhDayMessages
Ed Ray is a Real Hero. Rest in peace sir.
11 hours in a van full of hungry, restless, terrified kids...Ed is an amazing human being, I would have lost it and been killed before we even got there but Ed knew they needed him. The older kids were heroes as well
Ed and that older boy are heroes. I have so much respect for school bus drivers. It must have been so incredibly difficult to try and hold it together for the younger kids. They did an amazing job.
I remember hearing this story when it happened, but over the yrs I had forgotten all the details. I was in my early 20;s at the time. This is an absolutely terrifying story. All those children could have died. Ray was a true hero. He got them all organized and got them out and free. He deserved to be honored and loved.
Ed and the oldest teen were real heroes. Good video.
Mike Marshall was the actual true hero here. Let's give him the utmost credit. Without him things may not have turned out Soo good.
I just rewatched this video because the story just continues to amaze me. Then today I’m reading Fredrick Newhall was accepted for parole after being denied 17 times. 💔 The fact that he will be able to be out in the world after something that couldn’t have ended so tragically if they had not escaped is just horrible.
In 1976 i was in the first grade, i m now 53. The dude was in his late 20, so u suppose he is in his late 70 now, not so much damage he can cause onto others. But personally i think the all 3 should have got capital punishment
@@bambinaforever1402 Totally agree, I just hate the idea he has the chance to do anything you know? He may be older but I feel like that’s also a lot scarier since he could easily take the approach of not having much left why not do something else. If that makes sense. Unfortunately there’s still a lot of harm he could easily be capable of, maybe not stealing a bus of kids but with freedom he’s got a lot more possibilities than being behind bars. Just even thinking of the area I’m in where people tend to drive well past what they should lol too many chances to try and cause harm. Definitely just wish he would have just stayed in there, like I said especially since if they didn’t have help it would have ended so differently. 💔
I understand where you're coming from, but the guy spent 46 years in prison for something he did when he was 24. He is 70+ now. I think it is reasonable to let him live the rest of his life in peace.
@@thayspamacheno628f they hadn’t escaped though? They all would have died. That would be 26 lives he had taken. And it was only by sheer luck and effort they managed to escape. If a mass shooter shot with the intent to kill 26 people but they all survived, I would still consider him unworthy of living out his old age in peace. I don’t think he should be able to walk free based on not his own remorse for the crime but his victims ability to escape their situation.
Been watching this channel for a while now, but I have to say this. This channel is better than any show on Investigation Discovery. Every detail is explained, every interrogation, it is broke down and explained the different techniques investigators use. It’s just beyond informative. I can’t get enough. Because of this channel, I understand completely the REID technique and I understand how investigators do what they do. Not that I plan on every getting into trouble, I’ve spent 31 years without trouble and plan to continue that streak. But if I ever did find myself in a situation where I’m speaking with investigators, I would know what to look for now. 😂 but in all seriousness, this channel is phenomenal and probably my favorite on you tube!
I don't feel embarrassed to say that I was feeling so claustrophobic and anxiety and panic attack!!
Only thing I can say is the power and endurance and thinking of taking lead.....hero... my my what a superstar 👃👌👍
"If you're sad and you know it, clap your hands." Me too, kids. Me too
I was 20 years old when this happened. I will never forget it. That bus driver was a real hero.
I remember watching something similar on Dexter. Precious children being kidnapped in a school bus. Death penalty!!! Evil evil.
Omg this story really made me cry, from the stress of hearing about babies in distress and the wholesomeness of the children visiting Ed. 😢 I'm so glad everyone was safe.
When I was around 10ish, I kept having horrible nightmares about my school class being kidnapped and buried in a hole. I had them for a couple of years, never knew why or where they came from (it was especially weird since I never remembered my dreams). I always wondered why, but thought maybe it was something I saw in a movie. Then I see this - I was 10 in 1976. Now I know why - I'm assuming I saw something, maybe a newspaper or my parents were watching the news, and it stuck. To this day I still remember those dreams, they were that clear.
I can relate to that very much. Every so often growing up I would have a nightmare about a woman having to suffocate her crying infant to prevent a group of people from being caught and killed by someone bad. It wasn't until years later as an adult that I realized that something along those lines happened in the finale of a show my dad always watched. It's amazing how something we hear in the background as children can stick with us.
That young lad and Ed are real hero's.
I actually met one of these children (obviously now an adult) when I was riding a greyhound bus years ago.
Wow I don’t think I’d ever get on a bus again if I had experienced this.
I can’t hear ‘greyhound bus’ without thinking of a certain case
Finally, a story with a happy ending. God Bless you Ray
That's actually extremely horrific what happened to those kids, and to Ed. I'm grateful that in all 4 years of high school this never happened to anyone in our school.
Thank God they escaped!!! That is terrifying!
Bus driver, the young teenage boy and all the kids are hero's, everyone worked together to escape.
In the kindest way possible, that teenage boy was the real hero. Without him inspiring Ed we don't know what would have happened.
And then the kid (I think it was a different one) who was brave enough to crawl through the opening first despite not knowing if their captors were there to catch them.
Ed absolutely is a hero here too, and clearly the children felt that way, but those kids are the ones that sparked the escape
Ray looks just like my dad. I'm so glad that this played out the way it did, the ptsd will never go away but the idea that this could have ended with these kids and this hero of a man meeting their ends in such a terrible way is a relief.
I cried like a baby when I first heard this story. They were all so incredibly brave. God bless Ed and the older boys who got them out of there
What an amazing man. So often we hear things that are so terrible we condition ourselves to get used to it but hearing these stories makes your heart warm
Edd Ray was very brave and the boys did really well in helping escape. So glad they never forgot him. They would have suffocated had they not used their initiative. I can’t believe those men were released. It could have so easily been 27 deaths they’d have been responsible for.
I wasn't born till a year later but living in Northern CA I've seen this on TV a couple times. But you went into details I didn't know about. Great video as always.
Damn this hits in all the spots-- as a parent, as a teacher, as a sister who had to care for younger siblings etc.... this one triggers all the worst feelings 💔💔💔
i’m halfway through and i’ve head this story before but the first thing that’s coming to my mind now is this sounds like human trafficking. they took a whole bus full of kids and buried them with mattresses, food, and water. it seems like they were trying to keep them out of sight for a bit and then go back to move them. what do i know tho🤷🏼♀️
I thought it was a planned ransom
Bro you gotta watch the whole video before commenting lmao
You know more than some of the other people and the dumb ridiculous theorys I've read on here.
But I mean… That would actually be dumb because the people will suffocate there. So maybe just take them somewhere and let them also have oxygen. xD
I think you are exactly correct! Then again, I probably know even less than you on the subject.
May you all have a Happy, Healthy, Safe and Prosperous 2021! Many Blessings!
You too
We can hope!
Same to you ! May 2021 be a better year for all xx
Thank you, Marla, you as well my friend.❤
I remember when this happened (I was in elementary school at the time.) It terrified everyone. I can't believe there are people who don't know about this event. How about more people give some fame to survivors instead of serial killers for a change? You know that's why they aren't remembered - they survived. Well, here's to hoping more missing people are found alive in 2021.
Right. I'm from the UK and I knew about this case. I wonder why it isn't more widely known? Because the kids escaped?
I was in the 6th grade and remember it well,it terrified me and caused quite a few nightmares and I wasn't even involved so I can't even imagine what they went through.
This is one of the best stories you have reported on. One I have never heard of thank you
I got goosebumps all over my body just hearing this, especially when they were being buried in dirt. That must have been so horrifying especially to the children. Kudos to that teenage boy who refused to give up and to Ed who shepherded the kids.
Those teenage boys were truly something else. If I were fourteen in that situation, I would have panicked and cried like the others. Even though the teens were the oldest, they were still kids in the long run. But they kept calm and managed to save everyone with strength, smarts, and determination.
I remember this story! I was 12 years old at the time. I became terrified to ride the school bus after this. My mom drove me back & forth to & from school every day after this news story, until I graduated from high school. Thanks, EWU!!
This happened when I was in elementary school. The times were changing fast and opportunistic, gratuitous violence against innocent people permeated our evening news at dinner and began to erase the traditional freedoms of childhood. The nation held it's breath, waiting for news of the Chowchilla children and their school bus driver. I think most of the nation was grateful for their return and for their driver's care for his young charges.
Thank god they all survived, that's the best part! Now I am motivated to fight back in any situation after seeing their energy going into saving themselves 🙏
Every time I hear this story I’m so amazed that they all made it out alive!
One thing I love most about this channel is that the stories you share here open my eyes on the world we live in. I have never heard about this case and if someone told me this I would never believe it.
I was a teenager when this happened, living in Illinois. What a truly horrible thing to have happened to all these kids and bus driver. One funny thing is I always thought until this video , that it was the school bus that was buried. If they hadn't gotten out they would have been dead because of suffocation. That 14 year old that initiated the Breakout was also a hero.
This story made me cry :( we need more Eds in this world!
How did it take them 11 hours to only go 100 miles away?? What did I miss??
I was thinking the same thing!! Should’ve taken tops 2 hours
I was wondering the same thing. I thought maybe I misheard the distance or the miles. Maybe the 3 geniuses got lost.
This is an incredible story of self survival. When people are work together whether the people concerned are adults and children it’s amazing what can be achieved. An incredible bunch of children. Thank god they all got home.
This is so true, ive been absolutely absorbed with true crime stories and one thing i keep thinking about...is why didn't the people fight back or at least try? People often forget theirs power in numbers. Even if you know your gonna die, bite scrach and kick like your life delends on it. Because someone might notice the new scratches and bruses and connect them to the crime.
This is the second time now that i learned about a crazy crime in my home town from a random youtube video. I have never heard of this before but i grew up right next to those quarries. weird.
This is one of the most incredible stories of heroism and bravery I have ever heard. Rest in peace, Ed. 🙏