In 1976, three kidnappers hijacked a school bus full of children in the farm town of Chowchilla, Calif. The kidnappers forced the 26 students and the bus driver, Frank Edward "Ed" Ray, into a truck that was buried underground and demanded a $5 million ransom. As the kidnappers slept, Ray and two older students dug their way out, and helped everyone escape without injury.
The incident made Ray a hero. He died Thursday at age 91.
Here's a look at the news coverage in photos.