The Chowchilla Bus Kidnapping - A Terrifying Tale of Survival and Resilience

The Chowchilla bus kidnapping is a chilling and infamous event in American history that took place on July 15, 1976. This harrowing incident unfolded in the small rural town of Chowchilla, California, when 26 children and their bus driver were abducted and imprisoned in a buried moving van for over 16 hours. This episode delves into the details of the Chowchilla bus kidnapping, the remarkable resilience of the victims, and the consequences for those responsible.

The Kidnapping

On that fateful summer day, a group of 26 school children, aged between 5 and 14, and their bus driver, Edward Ray, boarded a bus to head home from their summer school program. As they traveled along Avenue 21, they were ambushed by three armed men: Frederick Woods, James Schoenfeld, and Richard Schoenfeld. The assailants stopped the bus, threatened the driver and children with firearms, and forced them into two vans. The children were blindfolded, bound, and driven to a quarry in Livermore, approximately 100 miles away.

Imprisonment Underground

The kidnappers had meticulously planned their crime. They had prepared an underground bunker inside a moving van buried in a quarry. The 27 hostages were crammed into the tiny, sweltering, and dark space, with only minimal food and water. They had no idea where they were or how long they would be held captive.


The children and their bus driver showed remarkable courage and resilience during their ordeal. They managed to support one another emotionally and physically, despite the oppressive conditions. To keep their spirits up, they sang songs, shared stories, and tried to stay strong for one another.