It's been 37 years since the deadly Alton bus crash that killed 21 Mission Consolidated Independent School District students.

The crash remains the deadliest school bus accident in Texas history.

On Sept. 21, 1989, a Dr Pepper truck crashed into a Mission CISD school bus, launching it into a water-filled caliche pit about 40 feet below.

There were 81 students on board; 60 survived.

Hundreds of first responders rushed to the scene, breaking windows and diving in without gear to rescue whoever they could.

Two memorials honor those 21 lives lost. One sits near the crash site and the other stands at Alton Memorial Jr. High School.