Survivor of High School Marching Band Bus Crash Shares Story

Two adults are dead after a bus carrying a New York high school marching band crashed. The bus plunged into a ravine as it was taking students to band camp. Beloved band director Gina Pellettiere and retired teacher Beatrice Ferrari were killed in the crash. The bus that crashed was one of a convoy carrying the students to band camp in Pennsylvania. As the other buses returned back home, anxious parents embraced their kids. Inside Edition's Ann Mercogliano has more.

[@FDR-ww6xz]

It's really tragic losing two teachers and having many children in the hospital. Hope they recover from that incident.

[@Citifiedsleet]

nah really?

[@briancannon4607]

Not the time for sarcasm@@Citifiedsleet

[@3llieMM2]

@@Citifiedsleetno time for jokes, this is serious

[@Nixohc]

Oh fr?

[@FunSkipping]

Nuh uh.

[@N1oreo1]

I used to be so annoyed with my parents for worrying about my safety on all of my many band trips. I thought I couldn’t be any safer. I get it now.

[@-_Somebody_]

How hard is that to understand?

[@zolline]

​@@-_Somebody_It's the "this happens but it can't possibly happen to me" mentality.

[@fadumomohamed2342]

@@-_Somebody_it’s hard for kids to understand things like that, even teens and young adults.

[@tbrownyabish]

​@fadumomohamed2342 those frontal lobes that assess future scenarios and determine the consequences, both good and bad, aren't fully developed yet.

[@blackdeathgaming1351]

As someone who was in high school band for four years, and now a college freshman, hearing that is horrible. I could never imagine being in marching band, one of the most fun things to do in school, becoming a horror show as such, and losing my director. RIP to the director and the chaperone. And thank god all the kids survived. Devastating to hear this

[@gremlinobeagel4308]

I remember seeing in the news a similar incident back in 2005. Happened in Wisconsin. They lost their band director, bus driver and some family members of the band director as well.

[@a.l.y.a.m.e.d486]

I remember back in 2002 at a band competition there was a band that was supposed to be there but the bus caught on fire. All the bands there felt bad for them. We always had bus issues every year going out of state. Everytime we had a bus issue I would freak out. One problem that seem to happen is that our busses weather it be a school bus or Mid America bus they never checked the bus at all before we left.

[@nanobotxtina5355]

I’m glad no children were killed and hope the ones injured make recovery

[@kallen868]

Beatriz Died.😢

[@ΘΘΝΘ-β5ξ]

So you don't care about two adults that were killed?

[@scholaroftheworldalternatehist]

This was the band kids...the ones that grow up to smoke weed and live in the basement

[@Chloe-jt4yb]

uh oh not living in a basement or smoking weed god forbird@@scholaroftheworldalternatehist

[@ΘΘΝΘ-β5ξ]

@@scholaroftheworldalternatehist how do you even know?

[@ItsL402]

God that’s horrible I give my condolences to those 2 adults that pass away

[@keyboardkween8744]

Women aren't adults

[@averyboling]

​@@keyboardkween8744you aren't an adult

[@ItsL402]

@@keyboardkween8744 say what?

[@brandonmoucatel9630]

​@@keyboardkween8744sometimes that's true but I wouldn't say that in this case

[@buddyholly855]

@@keyboardkween8744 ah misogyny

[@KolMan2000]

As a former marching band member, I can’t imagine the impact it must have had on those kids to lose their band director. You really do form a bond with them through the years. I just hope that whoever the school brings in for the role can live up to the legacy she likely had there

[@1_TRU3-AM3R1CAN]

I live a couple towns away from Farmingdale. My band teacher gave us a speech about what had happened and then told us about the directors passing. Thoughts and prayers to all the families ❤

[@LocustIvy]

🙏🏻

[@clarkgriswold5842]

Did he cry?

[@Mr36Chamberz]

This one time at band camp

[@davidobando834]

Same, I live near Oakdale, and in my school, the principal said “let’s have a moment of silence to what happened” and it was actually kinda sad tbh

[@essiekun8]

Mine too! I’m over in Locust Valley. The Assitant band teacher knew the Farmingdale band director from college.

[@satyendrandonibanerjee8682]

As someone who was both a trombonists and a drum major at his high school marching band, my heart breaks for these kids. They and their whole world shattered in a matter of moments.

[@loveforeignaccents]

Rest in peace to the two who lost their lives. Hope all the others make a full recovery.

[@thevoyager87]

I live about 10 mins away from Farmingdale and this hit super super hard for us band folks. Our director was nearly in tears as he talked about it and we held a moment of silence. We're wearing green and white when we go back to school to show support. Rest in Peace to the band director and the retired teacher, and I pray for a speedy recovery for those in critical condition 🕊️🙏❤

[@TJ-vj7qg]

Man, that’s really devastating. I remember doing high school marching band and going on trips like those. Those poor kids. I hope that all will be well and that they may recover.

[@largewallofbeans9812]

So glad that none of the kids died there. Still extremely tragic.

[@allennixon4745]

I pray to all those students who were affected will recover, but RIP to the two staff members

[@Luna_moon648]

im relieved that some of them survived..

[@henryscates]

4th

[@LMakaCobra]

Almost everyone survived. Horrible that not everyone survived, but most did.

[@Luna_moon648]

@@LMakaCobra it’s a miracle that some of them survived… I hope that those two woman find peace.

[@UnlimitedEmeralds]

My alma mater was not so lucky, 28 students and 1 teacher died in an awful bus crash. These crashes can be extremely tragic.

[@Luna_moon648]

@@UnlimitedEmeralds no it was two people… I think…

[@legendary39500]

I used to be in ESMs Marching band back when I was in high school. Seeing this happen to a district not too far away from mine is just saddening to me. I hope these kids can find peace in playing again when both physical and mental wounds heal.

[@joshuavang5449]

This is really sad. Rest In Peace to the two teachers and my condolences to their loved ones. I hope that the kids who were injured in this ordeal all get better soon.

[@Chris10138]

I'm from the school but don't play with the band however I know someone who is in the hospital after the accident. My condolences go to everyone affected by this.

[@rosellasworld]

i was a marching band kid who played the flute and retired the year before graduation, but heart is broken for all the victims, the band kids, and everyone who had to endure this accident

[@osmanaboobaker7024]

So so sad... Condolences to the families and a speedy recovery to all those injured

[@drewcliff82]

RIP to those lost and a speedy recovery to those injured. We have to do better here. When it comes to our kids every precaution must be taken. I'm not saying there was negligence here but the service records for that bus should be thoroughly investigated. A faulty tire is something that could easily have been spotted with preventative maintenance checks.

[@xo.hannii]

I'm currently in my 3rd year of marching band and saw this video while on break at BAND PRACTICE and just imagining losing my band director, one of our common chaperones, or even having some band mates in the hospital is hard to picture. I can't imagine what it would feel like. Sending my condolences 🫶🏻💕

[@prodaddygamer8414]

This kid lives across the street for me and it’s really sad

[@kjdnyhmghfvb]

Yes, people contrary to television most 14 year olds look like this, and not 25 year old bodybuilders

[@PaiviProject]

Oh wow. That sure was terrible thing to happen. So sad that lives were lost. I hope the kids will be okay.

[@HollyAylwin]

As a band kid my heart goes out to them and there band director🫶🏻

[@antoniag4625]

Now this kid has the ultimate "this one time, at band camp" story and will never be topped. RIP the chaperones

[@dallasyap3064]

RIP to the staff! Hope the kids have a speedy recovery from this tragic accident.

[@mikewozawski1634]

It's sad those poor ladies died but I'm sure they would be happy the kids made it through.

[@tanjavanlill3636]

My thoughts exactly

[@bce9371]

I'm originally from Long Island. My heart goes out to everyone affected, especially the families of the deceased, and those poor kids aboard that bus!!

[@micahsmith9620]

My heart goes to those teachers who lost their lives❤️.

[@Atisdel_Entertainment_Official]

Im in marching band rn, and I'm sorry to hear something that means so much to yall turned into a nightmare

[@nataliejones8308]

It’s my 3rd year of marching band and am a junior. I am so sorry for them. Really sad

[@baconlettucepotato69]

My dad went to Hicksville, and told me a lot of stories about their football rivalry with Farmingdale. When the accident happened, I really wanted to think "maybe it's a different Farmingdale" but when my dad saw the green uniforms in one of the headline images, he immediately knew the worst had happened. My condolences to anyone in the band, and at Farmingdale in general. Nobody should have to go through this.

[@melaniebjosue]

My son is in Marching Band and doing Band Camp in school too. Praying for the kids fast recovery and dedicated teachers loss their lives in the accident. ❤🙏

[@pokemonmanic3595]

I've driven on the pass they were on during road trips, and it's scarily how easily you could fall down steep embankments if you drift off the road. My mom also worked as a teacher in Farmingdale. Prayers for everyone involved.

[@LectronCircuits]

Bus crashes can happen to anybody at any time. Audience wishes hapless victims & grieving survivors all the best. Cheers!

[@ChloeNimps17]

as a band kid this breaks my heart. god bless you all.

[@yo.mama42069]

this story scares me so much as a band kid. band kids travel so much and to think that this could happen to anyone truly is horrifying. prayers for those kids. a band director is the best teacher anyone could ever have.

[@User17626]

I live in close proximity to farmindale, my band teacher told my band he was close friends with Gina and he seemed really overwhelmed breaking the news to us, Farmindale we love you 💚🤍

[@cynthiacopland8634]

Healing ❤️‍🩹 & prayers for survivors, family & friends of this tragedy

[@ABC-pw5fq]

Inside Edition Should interview the bus driver that was Driving. To bad 2 people died in this accident. N hopefully these kids have a quick recovery too.

[@jayskicksnfits9372]

*Too bad* ,not "To bad."

[@katwashere194]

Another article said the driver had an “unacceptable rating”. So why was he driving

[@LMakaCobra]

Oh my god a second person passed? I didn’t realize that the people killed were not students so that is the only silver lining here. Absolutely horrible that anyone passed and that anyone was hurt. I hope the families of everyone involved in this tragedy can heal.

[@karlpizza]

I know many kids from this school and it hurts so much to hear about this my heart goes out to everyone

[@shiannacumberledge6421]

Prayers for the families and the injured ones

[@Tonithemeloni04]

I could not imagine losing our band teacher, may they rest in peace 🥺

[@angelatarallo9291]

No kid should have to go through this ❤

[@marshalbaek5580]

Sorry to hear of this...

[@richardfisher2778]

You never know, look @ jersey shore PA , pray 🙏 FOR Everybody FOR Health, Safety @ prosperity 🙏

[@katyrebel18]

They really interviewed the kid when his director died?! Come on inside edition

[@jfranklin9549]

Both of those women died with the students they loved.

[@DeedeesJourney]

I understand that a blow out can be deadly but id like to know how experienced the driver was. Theres been zero mention of the driver thus far

[@LiqqaRoni-cx3tx]

Yeah it needs way more context, like how fast they were going and what was the speed limit?

[@5-7Farms]

Well this was a steer tire that blew, when a steer tire blows, you only have a split second to react as the steering wheel will jerk to the side that loses the tire.

[@justananimegirl2780]

Can't imagine losing my band director like this. Rip hon 🕊

[@terrancenorris9992]

For my entire school years their were no such thing as "grief counselors". During those years schoolmates were killed in car crashes, hunting mishaps, the Vietnam war for some of those who quit school to join the military and one accidently killed by his older brother and one 15 year old girl cheerleader committed suicide on campus during a basketball game in February 1968, of course students were shocked and surprised and saddened by these tragedies.

[@AshleyHavener]

Dude that was 1968, things have changed. Sorry that the education system failed you and other students. Frankly, they're still failing, but we won't talk about that.

[@imdelicaciess]

i go to jericho and my band teacher was very close friends with farmingdale's band director. i feel so bad for her, she was talking about it and had to shed some tears. rest in peace ♥

[@gdaygday1209]

EXTREMELY SAD.......HUG THOSE BABIES! MAY THOSE TWO LADIES RIP. 🥺❤

[@spxncxraviation]

We send out our prayers to the families and friends of those who have passed, and we know it is very unfortunate for things like this to happen. This happened to our band around 10 years ago, and so we feel your pain. Keep on pushing guys, it will all be okay.

[@michellenyc95]

I went to farmingdale high school this breaks my heart prayers to everyone 😢❤❤

[@OllieintoKickflip]

I’m so sorry he had to experience that he is so mentally poised I pray for everyone’s mental 🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@PrototypesParentReal3]

i can’t imagine how terrified the parents must’ve been.

[@grandtheftautovideos9938]

My condolences to these teachers and their families. I hope the students can recover from their injuries, though they will likely be scarred by them losing these two beloved teachers. And I hope the other surviving adults can recover as well. This is one of the most tragic accidents that I have heard of in the region of the crash site (or maybe the entire county), because my area is not far from there, and it is not often that I hear of an accident of such magnitude occur in this area.

[@dream2lucidly]

May they rest in piece. May those injured heal 🙏🕊️🤍

[@RollerSCoaster17]

That’s so sad!! 😢😢😢 so sad for the kids who witnessed and got injured!!

[@ldkwhat_toputhere]

I live in this general area and my mom told me what happen about 4 days ago I was so sad when I heard about it and the worst part is its affected so many people in this area

[@Lasagnib]

As a high school band member, I fear the long travels and after hearing the story when my band director had shared it with us, i felt terrible and couldn’t imagine the fear of the students and the sad news of losing their beloved band director and the sweet chaperone. I pray for everyone and the families of whom was lost in this tragic accident…❤❤❤

[@007NowOnline]

Very sad that lives were lost. Its crazy that such random tragedies happen like this. I hope the others heal quickly.

[@iamhappy679]

So sorry to their loved ones Rest in peace to those who died Hope that they can recover from the tragic incident 🤍🕊

[@alejandro1992ramirez]

People need to learn and remember a heavy vehicle like a bus or truck may look strong and sturdy but has 1 major weakness it looses 1 streer tire and it will pull the vehicle in that direction and it's very difficult to control bad timing it happen next to a cliff

[@Arkensius1157]

Oh dear...

[@breannarg]

Going to two wakes in one day is something I never knew we would need to be ready to experience

[@evelinagleisner930]

This is so sad and tragic 😞 rest in peace to the ones that lost their life’s and hope the injured recovers fast❤

[@studentathlete7751]

Rest in peace and condolences 💐 to the 2 adults that didn’t make it

[@JessicaZarzycki]

Rip to the staff bus driver and students on the bus rip

[@lionelwells5618]

Praying for all the kids and the family of the 2 adults that lost their lives. 😔

[@Opal5674]

Sorry this happened. Poor kids and staff.

[@bruh_clipz]

driver was like i have other plans

[@Idk_2948]

lmao

[@RIORDAN1600]

Prayers and love with them 💜

[@fireflymiesumae]

Rest in Peace 🕊️✌️

[@jvlixa]

may the two women who lost their lives RIP💔🙏

[@zacharynajera7302]

Prayers for the 2 people who died in the bus crashed.

[@christianfiguroa7147]

God Bless stay safe

[@ydaak]

Very unfortunate bless these families

[@christiannedacunha4104]

Tysm for the info!

[@henryscates]

3rd

[@Editking690]

HOD BLESS THEM I HOPE ALL OF THEM HAVE A GOOD TIME IN HAVEN

[@flyguy5941]

If a front tire blew, when was the last time the tires were checked? When was the last inspection?

[@chanabayla1823]

As someone who played many many yrs ago in my high school marching band this is probably our biggest fear

[@lindalawon9151]

Prayers for all.

[@dianabasile2592]

My home state is literally Pennsylvania. This is scary 😦. God bless those suffering from this heartbreak 💔

[@luwucian4497]

0:36 Brave Boy, it's so bad that you must see all that 0:44 it's hard for him to tell

[@Le4ann3]

Why am I seeing this the day before I go on a bus two days in a row for marching band?????????

[@DanielJMathews1]

I pray that those who lost there lives and that there souls may rest in peacr up in the kingdom of heaven I also pray for a quick and speedy recovery for those who were injured in the school bus crash no matter how minor or major it may be

[@myhumbleopinion1036]

May the two people rest in peace

[@fathergabrielstokes4706]

Poor little cutie 💖

[@birtneyspearschristmas.sum8825]

Feel so sad 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

At least none of the students died.

[@patricklegare2361]

This was a town over from me, as a volunteer firefighter I have never seen this type of accident

[@Mozy0109]

i live in farmingville and when i heard this new i was frightend becuase my cousin was in that school and was in that marching band but he was in one of the other busses. R.I.P

[@marshayemanuel1991]

Rip to that volunteer

[@officialavakin-mia2958]

Yesterday I had to go on the highway that this terrible accident happened on to go to school and looking at the scene was so sad. my heart goes out to all that were involved and who had to watch this tragic thing happen.

[@ChrisJab4]

Hey sorry to ask but I am curious if you know about how long it took to get the bus out of there or if you know what they even used to get it out? I am a student at FHS (I was not on the trip but my brother and friends were).

[@TawnyMay]

He's brave man.

[@dillondelhoney4243]

That kid just survived a real life fugitive movie situation.