School Bus Tragedy

Published

Fellow school nurses and Allnurses friends, yesterday a tragic school bus crash in my district claimed the lives of six elementary school students. Please join me in praying for, or simply thinking about, these little children and their families. I have not figured out how to share a link, but the accident, in southeast Tennessee, received major media coverage. Our city is broken. Please remember us today.

Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

((((((((Fawnmarie))))))))) I heard about this on the news yesterday...it's so terrible. My prayers are with your community and their loved ones.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Float Pool - A Little Bit of Everything.

So sorry to you, the community, the families, the children, etc. I can't watch it on the news without tearing up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Fellow school nurses and Allnurses friends, yesterday a tragic school bus crash in my district claimed the lives of six elementary school students. Please join me in praying for, or simply thinking about, these little children and their families. I have not figured out how to share a link, but the accident, in southeast Tennessee, received major media coverage. Our city is broken. Please remember us today.
OMG! I am soooooo sorry. Please express to everyone that they are in my prayers even if it seems like that doesn't seem to help in the face of such tragedy. School bus crash leaves 6 dead - CNN.com

I have HATED school buses for YEARS! I have several times gone in front of the legislature of my state to try to petition for seat belts on school buses...and the result was always the same. The expense of adding seat belts to NEW buses doesn't justify adding them when the actual statistics show the actual injuries and deaths are rare.

My heart hurts.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I watched this story last night on the news through tears. My heart breaks for you fawnmarie, the parents and families and the entire community. Much love to you and the school staff, parents and community. I think I hugged every kid in our building today during school while thinking of you and this horrible event.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

A word of advice, Fawn from the part of me that's done crisis intervention for first responders for the last 6 years:

as I see more and more news stories unfold surrounding this my gentle advice to you is to unplug yourself. Avoid the media coverage of this. It will only serve to upset you and anger you and add to your stress. The media, as we know can't resist to a sensational story and all your community needs right now is healing and love.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This is such a sad tragedy for the children that died and their families. The saddest part is this accident was preventable. I am Praying for these family.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.
A word of advice, Fawn from the part of me that's done crisis intervention for first responders for the last 6 years:

as I see more and more news stories unfold surrounding this my gentle advice to you is to unplug yourself. Avoid the media coverage of this. It will only serve to upset you and anger you and add to your stress. The media, as we know can't resist to a sensational story and all your community needs right now is healing and love.

That is good advice, in fact, I decided to turn the news off last night when I realized that a little boy killed in the accident previously attended my school. I recognized his mother. Chattanooga is what we residents call a "little big city," meaning that although the population is over 150,000, it has a smaller "feel" and you will always be running into someone whom you know. As today is our first day of Thanksgiving break, I'm going to relax with my own 3 children and try to enjoy my day off!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Actually, 5 children died, although 6 fatalities were originally reported.

It's so very sad. I can't even imagine being a parent, especially, or even a rescue personnel.

I am just 2 hours away from Chattanooga.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Praying for all involved as we in Maryland recover and mourn as well. There was a school bus driver that hit an MTA bus the week before last. The MTA bus driver was a coworker's sister in law, and in this instance as well, they said the school bus driver had no business driving. No kids were on the bus yet, but six people lost their lives, including both bus drivers. As a Mom whose son is now taking the bus, and as a nurse, it makes me wonder how much of a background check are they doing on these bus driver's and why are they permitting them to drive if they have prior offenses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

As a former resident of Chattanooga while attending UTC, I am grieved by this, and find it difficult to watch on TV. May God comfort the parents of these precious children. Since we really don't know who is transporting our little ones to and from school each day and what their background is, my grandson does not ride the bus to school. He is safe with mom and dad.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

Fawn, I am so sorry. This story has made national news, but I know

it especially hits home for you. ((((fawn))))

A friend posted on her Facebook feed yesterday, "I want to know why

school buses do not have seat belts". An age old debate, yes? Seems

like I once heard of someone explaining a legitimate reason as to

why they DON'T have them.. but can't remember what that was...

Edit: Esme I see you touched on this.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It was just announces that a 6 child died in the PICU this afternoon :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion