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CNN Live Saturday

Survivors of School Bus Crash in Canada Return Home

Aired April 28, 2001 - 15:14   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: And a tragic homecoming. The bodies of four Massachusetts children killed in a tour bus crash in Canada are back home today. Most of the kids who survived the crash are also returning to their homes near Boston. We get details from reporter Dan Hausle of CNN affiliate WHDH.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAN HAUSLE, WHDH CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Students left St. John's hospital last night after emotional reunions with their parents. Mothers and fathers who rushed to Canada to bring their children home.

SUSAN GREER, HOSPITAL SPOKESWOMAN: They've had a chance to hug their children and make sure everyone is OK. And they just want to get home, back to where they feel safe.

HAUSLE: Canadian police tell us the investigation into the crash will continue here. The charter bus rolled off an exit ramp on the trans-Canada highway after traveling all night from Newton.

FRANK ROACH, WITNESS: I was sleeping at the time, and I heard this bang, thump and crash.

HAUSLE: Firefighters held up a tarp as they recovered the bodies of four seventh-and-eighth graders who died in the crash. The others suffered mainly bumps, bruises and a few broken bones.

DR. CHARLES POZNER, BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS CENTER: Right now, people are just very thankful that no one was seriously injured that is still sort of here in St. John, and everyone is very, very happy to be going home, back home to families, siblings and such.

HAUSLE: Jolted awake when the crash happened just before dawn, many of these students and chaperons were left on the side of the highway, missing some of the simplest necessities. Strangers from this Canadian maritime province offered to help.

MARK SEIBEL, AMERICAN CONSUL: Private individuals donated shoes and other garments to children who had been separated from part of their clothing in the immediate aftermath of the accident.

HAUSLE: The students' mangled luggage and band equipment was shipped home along with them last night, a sad ending to a musical journey that took a tragic turn on a Canadian highway.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KELLEY: That was reporter Dan Hausle of CNN affiliate WHDH.

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