I heard about a week ago Dennis Varni had an accident with him and his family,but can't find any info just hearsay. Can any body verfiy.
Lets hope that it is just a rumor. I do not know him but I have heard of him and know he is a real car guy. I just watched a video about his collection on the Peterson Museum U tube channel.
Had an accident with his hot rod/ vintage bus with his family in it. Lost the brakes and pointed into the safest place to stop it in the hills. Hopefully all will recover, best wishes.
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/jul/19/bus-crash-near-harrison-injures-5-people/ I'm guessing this is it. Not much info. But at the end of the Youtube video posted above he said they were taking the bus on a trip in July to Idaho.
Yes, His wife and he were injured. Brakes went out in his Yellowstone tour bus. Everyone else is ok. Dennis is recovering.
From the North Idaho news FB page. North Idaho News July 19 at 8:40 PM · Bus Crash injures several in the Harrison Area July 19th 2020 Harrison, Idaho: On July 19th at around 5:35 pm, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office receiveda report of a single vehicle accident involving a bus on Asbury Road off of Hwy 97. It was reported the bus was wedged between trees and occupants were trapped and injured inside the bus. Kootenai County Deputies and personnel from the East Side Fire Department responded to thescene. Due to the unknown injuries, Life Flight was also requested. As units arrived on scene, it was determined there were a total of ten occupants on the bus and five of them were injured. After assessing the injuries, Life Flight was cancelled and the injured passengers were transported to KH by medical personnel with non-life threatening injuries. Initial reports indicate the bus had a mechanical failure and lost control and went off the roadway getting stuck between a cluster of trees. The bus was not affiliated with any organization or company and was a private bus transporting family. The Kootenai County Traffic Team was called out to investigate the accident. At this time it does not appear alcohol or drugs were a factor in the accident. Sheriff Ben Wolfinger By: Lt. Ryan Hi (The below comment is edited to correct the misconception that the person who posted the following on FB was on the bus and not one of their friends posting an update on the North Idaho FB page. That was posted in July. Dennis Varni with his wife Kathi were driving his Yellowstone tour bus when the brakes went out. Both had to have back surgery. He will be on his back for 2 to 3 months. Kathi also broke her nose, facial damage and several broken ribs.
Harrison ID is about half way down the east side of Lake Coeur d'Alane. It looks like they were just north of there. Neat little town that isn't quite the tourist Mecca that Coeur d'Alane is. Lots of hills and tight curves on those roads around the lake though. My wife and I circled the lake in our car a few years ago and stopped in Harrison.
sure glad no one was killed, but what a shame for the old bus. i have always loved those yellowstone park buses of all years
I hope they recover quickly. His bus was featured in the YouTube video in post #2, it is (or was...) pretty cool.
UPDATE: I was told that Dennis & Kathy were released from the rehab facility yesterday (Wednesday, August 12th) ... and will be receiving in-home care and Physical Therapy 4 days a week. They have both been progressing well and are looking forward to a full recovery. Kathy & Dennis want all to know they keep moving forward every day and are in very good spirits! NOTE: Of the thirteen occupants on the bus at the time of the accident, only seven were transported to the hospital ... and only two (Dennis & Kathy) were actually admitted ... as the others only had minor injuries (bumps & bruises).
Thanks for all of the updates, everyone. Thoughts and prayers for a speedy and complete recovery for everybody affected.
That is good news indeed. Is it too soon to ask how badly the bus got damaged or is that for another day?
Glad most of the injuries were minor and Dennis and his wife will be OK. I presume the bus did not have a dual MC.
The bus had been updated with a big block Chevy engine. I would assume the brakes were upgraded at the same time, but can't find information on that...someone must know for sure.
Cool guy...anyone who owns a couple Rolling Bones built Hot Rods is a real Hot Rod enthusiast in my book. Glad to hear Dennis and his wife are doing good and out of the rehab facility, as that is a good sign!
The Jalopy Journal
