Yesterday started as any other. I spent the morning in Chattanooga for a hair appointment. Nothing unusual about that. Then my mom called and said my son was crying for me. He was sick. I thought that was the worst thing that could happen yesterday. I mean really, three days before Thanksgiving and little man has a fever and crying because his ear hurts so bad. Thankfully we got in to see his pediatrician and got antibiotics. He already feels better (he’s pretending to be Kylo Ren as I write this post).
However that wasn’t the worst thing that could happen. No that came around 3:30 yesterday when news broke that a school bus had crashed. Now I’ve seen school buses crash before. They slide into a ditch when there’s rainy/icy weather. They flip easily. Usually everyone is fine with minor bumps and bruises. This is what I was thinking when I first saw the news…but it was much worse.
A school bus carrying 37 children ages Kindergarten to 5th grade from Woodmore Elementary School crashed (speed is thought to have been a factor), flipped and hit a tree. Five children (3 4th graders, 1 1st grader, and 1 Kindergartener) lost their lives. Six are in critical condition, six more are stable in the hospital, the rest were treated and released for minor injuries. The driver was cooperative with police and has been arrested and charged with vehicular homicide, investigation still ongoing. Those are the facts as of a press conference this morning. Facts, numbers…none of which explains the heartache this community is now facing.
As a mom, I watched in horror as the news story continued to unfold. I held my son as he slept and I cried. I thanked God for him, I watched him sleep and listened to him breathe. And as I did those things I cried for the parents whose kids didn’t come home yesterday, who kissed and hugged their little ones for the last time yesterday morning. My heart aches for them.
As a child, I remember the day my innocence was taken, the day my friend died from cancer and I cry for those students who went to school this morning to realize their friends weren’t coming back. As kids, we take tomorrow for granted. We are invincible. The students of Woodmore Elementary lost that innocence yesterday. They are hurting, grieving, confused. Maybe they didn’t know the students that died, maybe one of them it was their best friend, maybe it was a friend’s sister or brother. Regardless, life at Woodmore for these students will never be the same.
As a nurse, you prepare and you pray that this tragedy never happens. You run drills so you know what to do in case it does and hope that your preparations are never used. Yesterday it happened. The EMS workers, the firemen, and police officers….they all prepare and plan but no amount of planning can prepare you for facing what they did yesterday. I can only imagine the nightmares they face, the emotions they set aside to do their jobs to the fullest, and the care they need from us today.
Today I’m sad, but I’m also thankful. This community has once again come together to show its unity, its caring and love for every member. The parents and families that lost their angels last night are not alone. The parents with children still in the hospital, those kids that were on the bus and traumatized, you are not alone. Woodmore Elementary you are not alone. Hamilton County EMS, Chattanooga PD and FD, Erlanger ED you are not alone. We grieve with you, hurt with you, cry with you and pray for you. The evidence of this is in the outpouring of love on social media, the memorial that has dozens of flowers and teddy bears at the site of the crash, the blood donors that have booked appointments through next week. Whatever you need, you will find it.
If you would like to help the community, the local news station has listed things that are needed and United Way has set up a donation page for the families. Click here for more information. #WoodmoreElementary #PrayForChattanooga
So very sorry to hear of this terrible accident…
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