LICKING COUNTY, Ohio — A band director at Tuscarawas Valley Local School District posted a heartfelt message on Facebook about the bus crash that killed six people and those who helped save lives in Tuesday's fiery crash on Interstate 70.
Stephen Tripp, who is the middle school director for Tusky Valley Bands, said he escaped from the crash mostly uninjured and was able to help shout orders, move debris and get kids off the bus.
Tuesday morning, a charter bus filled with high school students was rear-ended by a semitruck on I-70. the bus was carrying students and chaperones from the eastern Ohio school district.
Three students on the bus and three adults — a teacher and two parent chaperones — inside a passenger vehicle following the bus died.
Tripp, who kept running back onto the bus to pull students to safety, said he is devastated by Tuesday's "senseless loss of life."
"These were students I have worked with every day for years. Kids that I have watched grow into young adults with their whole lives ahead of them," Tripp wrote. "They were adult friends who were a constant presence around the program and who selflessly served our kids, receiving nothing in return except the satisfaction of watching the students be successful. Please lift up and support the families and friends of Wyatt, Katelyn, J.D., Dave, Shannon, and Kristy in whatever way you can."
Tripp wrote a dozen paragraphs thanking everyone from the first responders to random people who jumped into the bus to help save lives. He also wrote he was thankful for the Tusky Valley community for coming together to go above and beyond to support one another.
His entire post can be read here.
The National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman said a team would begin investigating the crash Wednesday and will be in the area for five to seven days. A preliminary report will likely be issued in the next few weeks.
You can read more about the victims of the crash here.