Education Department says 305 buses in state involved in alert

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The state Department of Education says there are 305 school buses across the state that are involved in a nationwide alert. <br><br>Department officials say each of the buses in Oklahoma

Thursday, June 19th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The state Department of Education says there are 305 school buses across the state that are involved in a nationwide alert.

Department officials say each of the buses in Oklahoma will be inspected for possible welding flaws.

The alert about buses made by Carpenter says they may have a serious welding problem. The alert was issued in March after a bus in Florida flipped, flattening the roof like a pancake.

Officials are concerned the welding problem would allow the roofs of the buses to completely flatten in a roll-over accident. Federal standards call for a school bus roof to be able to support one-and-a-half times the weight of the bus.

Carpenter has been out of business for about five years.