Six Dead in Deadly Ohio Charter Bus Crash Involving High School Students

Police – Accident – Death – Obituary News : ETNA, Ohio (AP/WXIX) — Authorities from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) held a press conference on Wednesday to provide updates on the tragic highway crash that occurred in Ohio. The incident involved a charter bus carrying high school students, resulting in the loss of six lives and leaving 18 individuals injured.

During the press conference, an official from the Ohio State Highway Patrol expressed their deep sorrow, stating, “Yesterday was a day of true sadness that will forever remain in the hearts of Americans.” The NTSB Chairwoman, Jennifer Homendy, outlined the ongoing investigation, emphasizing that a thorough examination could take anywhere from 12 to 18 months to complete.

Homendy highlighted several key factors that the investigation will focus on. These include the conditions of the roadway, the design of the road, the volume of traffic at the time of the crash, and the impact on traffic patterns that morning. Additionally, the operator’s performance history, training, alcohol and drug tests, and any potential medical issues will be thoroughly examined.

The inspection history of the vehicles involved in the crash will also be reviewed, along with the maintenance practices of these vehicles. Of particular interest will be whether seatbelts were in proper working condition. Homendy revealed that apart from the driver’s seat, the motorcoach lacked seatbelts. The investigation will analyze footage to determine who was seated on the bus and their respective locations.

“Our focus is on safety,” Homendy stressed. “Our whole mission is to determine why this happened and prevent it from happening again.” She further stated that due to the urgency and the ongoing public health crisis on the roads, the NTSB plans to issue safety recommendations as soon as possible, without waiting for the full investigation to conclude.

Eyewitness accounts from first responders and Good Samaritans who provided assistance at the scene will also play a crucial role in the investigation. Homendy acknowledged that there was conflicting information about the sequence of events leading to the chain-reaction crash, which involved an SUV and a semi-truck in addition to the charter bus. To obtain a comprehensive understanding of the incident, investigators will search for video footage from local businesses that may have captured the accident.

The charter bus was en route to an Ohio School Boards Association conference in Columbus, according to Tuscarawas Valley Superintendent Derek Varansky. The conference, known as one of the largest education conventions in the nation, was canceled upon learning of the crash. It was supposed to feature professional development sessions and a Student Achievement Fair showcasing innovative school programs.

During a community prayer vigil, Varansky expressed the district’s profound grief, describing Tuesday as one of the darkest days in their history. He emphasized the importance of honoring the deceased and providing support to the surviving students who experienced the traumatic event. To ensure students were not left alone, classes were held on Wednesday, with additional counselors and support staff available to assist.

Tragically, three individuals in one of the passenger vehicles involved in the crash, including a teacher and two chaperones, also lost their lives. The deceased were identified as Dave Kennat, 56, of Navarre; Kristy Gaynor, 39, of Zoar; and Shannon Wigfield, 45, of Bolivar. The driver of the other passenger vehicle was transported to a hospital, while the drivers of the commercial vehicles sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The crash resulted in the closure of both sides of Interstate 70 for several hours, leading to significant traffic delays in the area. The eastbound lanes reopened late Tuesday afternoon, with the westbound lanes reopening early Wednesday.

Tori Wilson, a sophomore at the school who was on the bus during the collision, recounted her harrowing experience. She overheard someone mentioning a fire and the need to evacuate, but she found herself trapped. Wilson shared, “I had a kid over the top of me having a seizure and not moving… unresponsive. I had my friend beside me, and all I could see was her head crushed underneath seats.”

Despite the bus being engulfed in flames, the junior high band director repeatedly returned to the vehicle, rescuing students and ensuring their safety. Eventually, Wilson managed to escape through a window.

This recent fatal crash involving high school students on a charter bus follows a similar incident in September. In that case, a charter bus carrying high school students to band camp veered off a highway in New York, resulting in two fatalities and several injuries.

The NTSB investigation continues, aiming to provide answers, identify causes, and implement measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future..