The Very Worst Thing

Today is an anniversary, but not a happy one. I grew up hearing about this day, all school children in my area knows this story. A dear family friend survived this day, but rarely does he speak of it. February 28, 1958 a Floyd County Kentucky school bus slid off the road after clipping the rear of a

tow truck that had pulled into its path. It would end up being the worse school bus disaster in US history. A record we all hope is never broken. Of the 49 passengers on Bus 27 that day only 22 would make it off the bus alive. Floyd county didn't have a rescue squad at the time, divers from the US Navy searched the swollen current of the Big Sandy River. It took 3 days to find the bus and haul it out of the muddy river. It took even longer, 40 days, before the body of the last child, 13 year old Katie Jarrell of Sugar Loaf would be recovered. She was found 7 miles downstream.

Three Families lost all of their children that cold February morning. The family friend was at the back of the bus, he was one of the first off, and helped pull others to safety. In a matter of a few short minutes the bus went under. Survivors recall seeing the hands and arms of their friends and classmates sticking from the bus windows as it went under. The swift current of the flooded river swept the bus 250 yards from the point it entered the water. This was the very worst thing.

As a result of this tragedy Floyd countians formed together to build a rescue squad, they train swift water rescuers. While we all hope a disaster like this never happens again, Floyd county has prepared themselves.

Many schools in this area have missed 2 weeks as a result of the snow and ice storm. Schools have started using online resources so students don’t fall behind while out for weather. We don’t take chances with the safety of students.

Doris Faye Burchett, 15, of Emma

James Edison Carey, 9, of Emma

Glenda May Cisco, 17, of Sugar Loaf,

Kenneth Forest Cisco, 14, of Sugar Loaf

Sandra Faye Cline, 8, of Lancer

Paulette Cline, 9, of Lancer

Imogene Darby, 17, of Cow Creek

Linda Darby, 14 of Cow Creek

John Alex DeRossett, 17, of Water Gap

James Edward Goble, 12, of Emma

John Spencer Goble, 11, of Emma

Anna Laura Goble, 9, of Emma

Jane Carol Harris, 14, of Emma

John Harlan Hughes Jr., 13, of Emma

Margaret Louise Hunt, 15, of Cow Creek

Bucky Ray Jarrell, 14, of Sugar Loaf

Katie Carol Jarrell, 13, of Sugar Loaf

Marcella Jervis, 14, of Emma

Montaine Jervis, 15, of Endicott

Thomas Roosevelt Jervis, 13, of Buffalo Creek

Katherine Justice, 15, of Endicott

Nannie Joyce McPeek, 17, of Lancer

Joyce Ann Matney, 14, of Lancer

Rita Cheryl Matney, 8, of Lancer

James L. Meade Jr., 9, of Lancer

James Thomas Ousley, 15, of Lancer

Randy Scott Wallen, 17, of Lancer