A scenic morning in Ketchikan, Alaska took a dangerous turn on 26th June 2025, when a school bus carrying 46 cruise passengers was involved in a serious collision with an SUV on Tongass Highway.
The crash disrupted a planned shore excursion and sent three individuals – two cruise guests and the SUV driver – to the hospital.
The accident occurred just after 9 am local time, as guests were likely en route to a morning tour experience from the busy Ketchikan Cruise Port.
According to a press release from the City of Ketchikan, the SUV struck a power pole after colliding with the bus, pushing the larger vehicle into a roadside ditch.
Emergency Response and Injuries
Emergency responders from the Ketchikan Fire Department quickly arrived at the scene to assess injuries and stabilize the situation.
Thankfully, no fatalities were reported, and most of the 46 passengers escaped without serious harm. After medical evaluations on-site, 44 passengers were cleared and returned to their ship via a replacement bus.
“The school bus was carrying 46 cruise passengers and a single driver when the accident occurred. The passengers and drivers were examined by EMTs and paramedics,” the city’s official statement confirmed.
Photos of the crash show significant damage to the SUV’s front end and the bus lodged off the road, highlighting the force of the impact.
Ketchikan was at full cruise capacity at the time of the accident. While officials did not confirm which ship the affected passengers were sailing on, multiple vessels were in port that morning, including:
- Royal Princess (Princess Cruises)
- Norwegian Bliss (Norwegian Cruise Line)
- Eurodam (Holland America Line)
Later arrivals included Sapphire Princess and Koningsdam, which docked after the incident occurred.
Not the First Tour Bus Incident in Alaska
This latest accident echoes a similar event from 6th September 2024, when a tour bus carrying 24 cruise passengers overturned on the South Klondike Highway near Skagway after the driver suffered a medical emergency.
That crash, which occurred in a remote area with no cell service, resulted in 12 injuries and required assistance from passing tour buses before emergency services could arrive.
Despite these rare incidents, the overwhelming majority of cruise excursions proceed safely and smoothly.
Thousands of organised tours take place each year across Alaska without incident, offering guests unforgettable experiences in the Last Frontier.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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