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SOUTH JORDAN — The city will host a memorial ceremony for the 75th anniversary of a horrific accident.
On Dec. 1, 1938, a school bus carrying 39 students to Jordan High School in Sandy was hit broadside by a 50-car freight train during a blizzard. A total of 26 people were killed, including 25 students. It is considered the worst railroad crossing accident in the history of the U.S.
"Because of that accident, we saw an outflow of national safety standards for school bus traffic," Historic Preservation Committee Chair Richard McMullin told the South Valley Journal. "Laws were enacted that required buses to stop at all railroad crossings and to open the doors to hear if there is an approaching train."
The historic preservation committee arranged the commemoration of the anniversary with a memorial marker.
"This event was one of the only incidents in South Jordan history that had true national implication," McMullin said.
An unveiling ceremony dedicated to the memory of the victims will be held on Monday, Dec. 2, 1 p.m. at Community Center/Heritage Park, 10778 S. Redwood Road.
