January 6 Bus Accident

John & I were on Luis' bus -- his blog tells the story of the horrific night of January 6 2008.

URL
http://http://www.outtatownproductions.com/blog.php

or

1-8-08
Hi Everyone. This is Luis. I am now home safe, my boys and I, and one of my buses on this past weekends ski trip. Unfortunately, my second bus of friends was in a horrific rollover accident on the way home Sunday evening. I lost 9 people, and the rest were injured, some mildly, but some very severely. My bus found the other one by the side of the road, about 20 minutes after they rolled. Outside temp was 27 degrees and dropping when we arrived. My driver stopped our bus, thinking a car had gone over the side, but came back and asked if any of us had cell phone service and if any medically trained people were on board. He also told everyone else to stay on the bus. I went with him to look at what we could do. I was horrified to see that it was not a car, but a bus. It was totally unrecognizable with the dark, and how badly it was ripped apart.Everyone was soon off our bus and started searching for people, using any light they could. Book lights, flashlights,laptop lights, cell phone glow and the headlights of two pickups that were at the scene seconds before us were all we had to look for people. I was horrified to realize at that point, that this was my second bus. My group. My friends. It was surreal. No one panicked, no one screamed. Everyone asked what they could do and did it automatically. Opening luggage to find jackets, blankets, shoes, to keep the injured warm. Looking to see who needed help first. Talking to whoever we could find to keep them calm and awake. Looking over each person to stop bleeding, or for what kind of injury they might have. Those that could walk, were helped up the 20 foot embankment. Those who could not, were not moved, but covered for warmth. They were covered in cold wet red mud, sometimes making mud and blood distinction hard. Everyone worked as a team. Six guys helped me lift the roof of the bus off one boy. Other dug out the mud to get a woman from half under the bus. Someone stayed with every single person who was found to be alive, even if it was only faint breath or heartbeat, talking to them and letting them know we were there. One woman took it upon herself to find pen and paper and try to get a headcount, trying to find out people's names and account for everyone. Unfortunately, we also had to cover up some bodies. It took one hour for any medical help to arrive since we were 40 miles from any towns. When they did arrive, everyone helped, holding lights, moving debris to get EMTs in closer to each person, and helping to carry injured on backboards up the embankment, then staying with them until loaded into ambulances.We stayed until every person or body was clear of the wreckage, and ready for transport. Then we were loaded back on our bus when the Sheriff cleared our bus driver to leave the scene. We had been there, some without their own jackets or gloves, for 4 hours. I did a headcount and we drove towards Kayenta AZ. It was a very quiet drive. I talked with our driver and he said his company would put us up in Kayenta for the night, or we could continue on to try and make it to Phoenix. I did not even ask my group, but told them we were staying the night. Weather was getting worse and we were all in shock. No one objected. We worked as a unit to unload what we needed from the bus, got into our rooms, showered to get mud and blood off of us and tried to sleep. Myself, I only slept about 2 hours when my body completely shut down. When I woke up, all I could do was cry, and wonder what I could have done different to help out better, and what can be done to help next. We took a vote at 10 AM Monday as to whether we wanted to drive in the now heavily coming down snowstorm, or wait another day, or even a few hours. We left Kayenta at 11:30AM to take advantage of warming daytime temps and our driver drove very cautiously, one leg at a time, from city to city. We arrived back at our cars in Phoenix at about 7PM, and as a team again, unloaded the bus. We were now a family, everyone, including our bus driver. None of us will ever forget this tragedy. It forged a bond between us. I will forever call them my bus load of Heroes.
After I wrote this story, I have opened up an account at Wells Fargo Bank for the benefit of everyone on bus 12. It is the Telluride Ski Bus Fund, account #8453-450879. Anyone can donate, any amount, at any branch.

These are comments from the EMT's who were on scene an hour after we found our 2nd bus:
EMT 9:31 a.m. Jan. 9, 2008
yeah, rescue personnel will carry the weight of this tragedy for a long time. Healing is never quick and without pain. I know that I will never forget that night.It should be said however that the victims were very brave throughout this whole ordeal. We had victims who have been laying on the wet mud asking for others to be helped first. I was amazed at such strength.I had one little boy, who despite his numerous and painful injuries followed my every instruction. I will never forget him. He is family.I hope that I never go through that again but if I do, I hope this experience has made me more prepared.My heart and mind reaches out to all those who were affected by this tragedy. I am thankful that I was able to help.

EMT 3:06 p.m. Jan. 9, 2008
In response to the First Hand statements. I know first hand that you and the members of your bus were definitely a bus load of heroes. We usually are very cautions about having bystanders help us when dealing with traffic accidents. But this bus load of heroes was part of our team that night. We will never forget the amount of help you gave us during this tragedy. I can honestly say that you will also be the bus load of heroes to our system. I know that the EMS System wishes we could thank everyone of you but know we will probably never cross paths again. But maybe through this blog it will get back to all the members of that bus, how much we appreciated your kindness, your patients, and you wiliness to help. May god always bless you and your families always.

EMT on scene 9:26 p.m. Jan. 9, 2008
I echo the last comment made. We never could have done what we did without the help of the members of the "bus of heroes". I myself had a small army of these wonderful people who made my job doable in such horrible conditions. I felt their strength, concern, and care and that helped me to keep going. All of the responders to this scene are struggling and not sleeping a whole lot. It has helped to keep in contact with some of the families and follow progress. We also felt the strength of a higher power guiding us in making critical decisions for these wonderful people who needed our help. I never heard anyone complain who had to wait for their turn to be taken care of. God Bless All of You, and we hope to see you all healthy and whole again someday.

January 20, 2008
Our first benefit for the families of Our Lost and the help of those injured in the Jan 6 accident was held at Victory Lane Sports Park. We had about 2000 people come throughout the day, raffled of some great donated prizes, played pickup volleyball, had the 3rd Rock Band play all day, and had the people from bus 11 flipping burgers and dogs to raise over $11K in one day. Thanks to all who helped out, attended and donated!!