My heart is hurting. We’re still trying to recover from the terrorist attack of July 16, 2015. Five of our finest servicemen were gunned down just sixteen months ago in our backyard, near one of our busiest highways. Let’s face it, we still haven’t made sense of that horrible act. We will always honor their service, and their courage. And now this. A school bus accident that has claimed the lives of six children. But as any teacher will tell you, they’re not just children. “They’re my babies,” they will say.
Woodmore Elementary School holds a special place in my heart. Tucked away in a residential neighborhood about a mile off of Brainerd Road, it is full of special people. My friends Penny King and Lynda Land taught first grade at Woodmore for thirty-plus years. They, and many of their colleagues were the constants through more than a dozen principals and superintendents. Penny and Lynda retired a few years ago, but they left something behind: their hearts. On Monday, November 21, 2016, just three days before Thanksgiving, their hearts were broken.
As you may know, I’m the lucky TV guy who gets to visit all the schools at one time or another. I’ve been to Woodmore on Dr. Seuss day, the day Amazon surprised the teachers with new learning tools, and the day we honored the high number of male faculty members (a rare gift at an elementary school). The new principal, Brenda Cothran, is a ray of human sunshine.
On this day like any other, thirty-seven students hopped aboard Bus #366, toting lunchboxes, coats and backpacks to take home. For reasons yet to be determined, within a few short minutes, the bus crashed into a tree. Within moments, authorities were notified, and the scanner traffic began. “We’ve got a school bus accident on Talley Road.” Shortly afterward, “There are children on board,” and the call for emergency vehicles went out.
As we soon learned, this was not the harmless “bus slid into a ditch” accident call we hear quite frequently. The sound of sirens blanketed Brainerd Road, causing more than a few panicked phone call to news stations like mine. Had there been a shooting? Unfortunately, we’re used to that these days. We now know that what Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher called “our worst nightmare” had come true. This accident was serious. Interim Hamilton County Schools Supt. Dr. Kirk Kelly sent word to his School Board members and Central Office administrators: “We are facing a great tragedy.”
As my WRCB news crew arrived at the scene just minutes after the crash, emotions were running high. The sight of speeding emergency vehicles with flashing lights, and the sounds of sirens immediately brought July 16 (2015) to mind. Our unsung heroes, the first responders who see pain and suffering each day, were carrying an even greater burden than usual. They didn’t try to hide it.
It was heartbreaking to see family members work their way to the closest vantage point they were allowed, asking everyone coming their way, “Have you seen my baby?” Occasionally there were glimmers of hope. One woman walked up the hill with her children, including one little boy whose face was heavily scratched. He was one of the lucky ones. Twelve of the thirty-five passengers had only minor injuries.
The next person I saw was State Rep. Joanne Favors, who represents the Woodmore community in the Tennessee Legislature. She is a retired nurse, and has surely seen a lot of pain and suffering in her lifetime. We embraced. She was speechless. What I’m about to say is meant as a compliment: Joanne Favors is rarely speechless. She radiates love, with an extra helping of personality. But on this day, at this time, she could not speak. Nor could I.
Before long, a group of school officials, government leaders, and police officers stepped up to address reporters for the first time since the crash occurred about two hours earlier. As they approached the microphones, their body language spoke volumes. This was the press conference no one wants to be a part of. This was the crisis they frequently prepare for, but openly hope they never have to address. This was real. This was painful.
Looking at Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke and Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger, again I was reminded of last year’s terror attack. I hadn’t seen those “faces” since then, and hoped I would never see them again. Chief Fletcher shared the bad news: Twenty-three children required medical attention, and as we feared, some didn’t make it out of the bus alive.
For the second time in sixteen months, Chattanooga was on the national news. Once again, there were multiple fatalities, with Innocent victims. This time they were children. No, they were babies.
I don’t use that term loosely, or facetiously. I constantly see middle and high school teachers refer to their students as “My babies.” They mean it. At Woodmore, like many elementary schools, teachers and staff members serve as mommies, nurses, counselors, and encouragers. They take care of their babies, and they celebrate every accomplishment. They’re very protective of their babies. Now, as they grieve together, they must help Woodmore’s students learn lessons more powerful than anything in the math curriculum. It won’t be easy, but I know they’re up to the challenge.
By now, we are learning the children’s names, and obtaining their photographs. Our tears flow again as we see their faces, and learn about their families and their dreams. Our hearts break all over again as we grieve with, and for their families.
As always, Chattanooga, along with our surrounding cities and counties, and strangers from far away will give blood, help with medical expenses, and shower the Woodmore family with love. It’s what we do. We will also watch with interest, as our questions slowly get answered. We want to know how it happened, why it happened, and how we can keep it from happening again.
What else can we do? We can give our own babies a hug every chance we get, no matter how old they are. They’re still our babies. And we can send up a prayer for these heartbroken families in the depths of despair.
This is the most heartfelt report. I truly appreciate you and your sensitivity to these families, first responders, medical personnel, and our community. Your professional integrity is outstanding and you are to be commended.
Thank you David for writing in words what our hearts feel. May God wrap His loving arms around each family, administrator, hospital administrators, first responders, and our community. These sweet babies belong to all of us.
As a teacher, I certainly know what you mean when you talk about our babies. They are always our babies, even after they leave our classrooms and our schools. They stay in our hearts forever. Thank you, David, for your heartfelt words.
Thank you for your honesty and sincere love for not just the community but those that make up the community. You are always professional yet you let more of your humanity shine. During this difficult time, you have gotten the story out while comforting those directly involved and those of us viewers. May God continue to use you as a vessel to help reach others thru sincerity and honest reporting. My prayers are for the families of those babies, the school staff, first responders, the media teams, viewers, hospital staff and the community.
Well said, David. The Chattanooga area is one giant community…a family…and this is a crushing blow on our family. Prayers to the families of the victims, their teachers, principals, and fellow students, and the entire Woodmore and associated community schools. Prayers also with the police, fire, EMS, and other first responders that are on the front lines during these horrific events. And to the news crews, as well, who are tasked with maintaining their professionalism whIle accurately and responsibly reporting the news…and maintaining their composure while doing so. That, too, is no easy task. Prayers for our whole community.
Thank you David for this article, but most of all for your heartfelt reporting. We could see how hard it was for you to give those reports. Praying for the families, those still being treated, the emergency responders, and the news crews like you.
It was obviously just as difficult for you and the Channel 3 team, knowing what was coming. You showed grace and discretion throughout this whole tragedy as it was happening in real time. Prayers for the families and responders will include the reporters trying to do their jobs during such a horrible event. Lots of people send you their love and support.
What a blessing you are to this community. Thank you David.
Thank you for being the loving & caring news person you are and you choose you words carefully unlike some I have heard on other stations tonight. Prayers for the entire community, it has touched all in one way or another.
I am so heart broken over this…they were just babies! May our Creator make sense of this, because I can’t….My prayers and my heart are with all of the parents and community…I can’t stop crying…
Articles like yours are why I always turn to Channel 3.
David Carroll has always been a kind and sensitive reporter – this and the Police shooting have to be the toughest reporting he’s ever done!!!! My heart and prayers are with all of Chattanooga as everyone will be affected in some way!!!! I’m terribly grieved for the loss of these sweet “babies”…..their soul will rest in peace….God will give comfort and peace to their families and others who have loved them – their Teachers, Friends, Parents, Community……Hugs to ALL!!!!!
Well said. As I watched the story unfold I had tears flow, as did everyone else. I have a child in 5th grade, different state, but could just as easily happened here. My thoughts and prayers are going out to all involved.
You always say the right things. Couldn’t read without crying. God bless you.
May we, as a community come together to grieve, mourn, and support one another. My prayer for our community is for bitterness and hate to never arrive on scene, (I’ve already read a lot of fb posts this morning), but love prevail over all things. We, as a community owe it to our babies to be united in love.
My heart hurts with you David as you report this tragedy. May Gods blessings be with you and especially with the momma’s and daddy’s of these children.
Thank you David Carroll for expressing what we all feel in our hearts. I love your compassion and love for our community.
Thank you David. With tears on my face from this tragedy, you respond as a fellow hurt just as deeply. Or more so, I do not personally know any of these families you do, but the grief is felt by all. Praying for all involved.
Thank you, David Carroll. You are a gift to all of us. Again, you have served us well. You verbalize our hopes and dreams, fears and questions. We love you.
God bless these families and give them strength, thank you Lord for sending a Godly man to report on this tragedy they are babies in our eyes and we know there God’s babies.
Thank you, David, for expressing our hearts. I got a message from one of the first responders during this tragedy asking for urgent prayer – even as a first responder it was almost more than he could bear. As he said, it was a sight he cannot “unsee”. They, the other students, the parents, the teachers, as well as the bus driver who has now been charged will need our prayers for a long time. I hold God to His promise I read this morning in Psalm 34:18 – “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
They are our babies – from the moment they step into our classroom they are “ours”! Celebrating graduations, weddings, and even their babies is just an example of how they become our family. My heart hurts for these families and teachers and community.
Thank you David for being real. Thank you for reporting facts but keeping the emotion real and the family’s privacy a priority. #chattanoogastrong
Oh David, I read this with tears because though I have been retired for 15 years I remember all of my “babies”. This is so tragic and sad for our city. It made me proud last night to see the lines of people waiting to give blood. After 2 weeks of political divide, the faces in line at blood assurance were black, white and hispanic. I leave to work my Ronald McDonald House shift and wonder what I will face. Thanks for this special article that says what so many are feeling today. I just saw you yesterday at the grocery and you mentioned your babies that were coming home for Thanksgiving. Give them an extra hug for me and count your blessings.
Well said my heart is breaking . Do know what to say . All I can do is pray for everyone . This is so sad . God I ask you to be with each and everyone the babies moms dads grandparents brothers sisters aunts uncles teacher’s everyone that helped and if I miss anyone them to . God they need to feel your arms around them . In Jesus Name Amen .
My prayer is that God will heal those children who have survived…Bless the families who has lost a child in this incident, because this will possibly be the hardest thing you will ever have to go through….There is no getting over losing your child…..you just have to find the strength from God to move forward and hopefully help some one else who has endured your grief….
Honor your child by giving to ‘comfort’ to others when possible, help if capable and prayers for their grief to turned into something ‘positive’…..My prayers are with each and every child who is suffering because of this accident and each and every parent and family going through the loss of their precious child. Amen…
David
I know you and your heart for all the community work you have been involved
With your work at channel 3…back in 70 n 80’s ..your work is your heart and I can feel the care for people in your words now.. ?? for everyone.. please research why one person . Driver. Is on the bus with 35 “babies” alone.. no staff or volunteer on these elementary buses..
I have been one of 4 min for school outings chaperone when with teacher of class goes on day trips on buses ..and that is for distraction n control while driver is driving he/she focuses on driving n road especially when seat belts are not required on school buses..any distraction on bus or road affects the driver..seasoned experience drivers should be qualification for school bus drivers plus at least one chaperone on every school bus.. I speak from experience having done carline driving daily w/ 3/4 elementary students in my van with seat belts clicked on before car moves..35 students n no seat belts with movement on bus n road for one young driver???? Hamilton county board of education who hires the drivers who hold
Children’s lives in their hands should review their policies of qualifying drivers..
These precious lives have paid high sacrifice and lives have been changed
Forever..I know from experience of losing an adult child in car accident with car wrapped around tree..these parents and other children on bus lives are changed
Forever ????the whole country is mourning as it is being reported hourly on cable news..
Dolly Summers
Absolutely Dolly … David has and still is caring for our community. So sad that this happened
Praying for all the Families that are hurting so much from the death of their Child or a serious injuries from the children, my Heart hurts for the precious children that are suffering, may God put a Special Touch on them. Be with the families that lost their Babies. Carroll White, Aberdeen.Ms.
Reported with compassion and genuine heartfelt emotion. Thank you, David.
This is a well written message letting the public know what is happening. As I read the words tears filled my eyes then rolled down my checks, feeling the pain of this tragedy.I live in Illinois now and we are laying to rest today, one of our soldiers that lost his life in Afghanistan from a suside boomer about a week ago. Hearing about these tragedies really hit home for me cause I know all too well, I am the sister to Carolyn Cooper/Quarles from the house fire on Sand Mountain at Bryant, you covered that news as well. Just want to say thank you for your words, they will give comfort to all who read them. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families who lost their child, may they find comfort in knowing that parents all around them, our hearts are breaking also. God bless us all!
You captured the heartbreak, the depth of this tragedy. Masterful writing
David Carroll, You are just wonderful. Your articles/letters to the public are always good, because they are heartfelt everytime. They are so real. You did one right before school started..it was about teachers and I do teach and I could so relate to that letter. You always see good in what you are dealing with. you give hope and let us know that you have that faith in mankind. thank you for being in the city of Chattanooga!!! This article was exceptional too because once again you are so real and convey the hurt that people have right now. Your articles are so human. IYou capture the good and the bad so well. We all are able to relate because you hit the chord of what being human is all about. Thank you.
David, a wonderful report as always. My heart aches for all the parents, teachers, friends that are suffering this loss. It Is so senseless and so unexplainable. It is horrible to lose anyone to an accident like this, but it just seems doubly horrific when it is babies that we have lost.
I can’t imagine what these parents go through everyday missing their babies.
A mother’s worst nightmare.I used to worry every time I put my daughter’s on a bus until they came home safe.My heart and prayers go out to them.
3 years later and I still get choked up reading this and thinking about it. I had an 8 month old at the time of the tragedy and all I could do was squeeze her and hold her and think about the parents that lost that ability.