Event Hosted By Luis My Family of Heroes Written By Luis 01/08/2008 click for full size Hi Everyone. This is Luis. I am now home safe, my boys and I, and one of my buses on this past weekends ski trip. Unfortunately, my second bus of friends was in a horrific rollover accident on the way home Sunday evening. I lost 9 people, and the rest were injured, some mildly, but some very severely. My bus found the other one by the side of the road, about 20 minutes after they rolled. Outside temp was 27 degrees and dropping when we arrived. My driver stopped our bus, thinking a car had gone over the side, but came back and asked if any of us had cell phone service and if any medically trained people were on board. He also told everyone else to stay on the bus. I went with him to look at what we could do. I was horrified to see that it was not a car, but a bus. It was totally unrecognizable with the dark, and how badly it was ripped apart. Everyone was soon off our bus and started searching for people, using any light they could. Book lights, flashlights,laptop lights, cell phone glow and the headlights of two pickups that were at the scene seconds before us were all we had to look for people. I was horrified to realize at that point, that this was my second bus. My group. My friends. It was surreal. No one panicked, no one screamed. Everyone asked what they could do and did it automatically. Opening luggage to find jackets, blankets, shoes, to keep the injured warm. Looking to see who needed help first. Talking to whoever we could find to keep them calm and awake. Looking over each person to stop bleeding, or for what kind of injury they might have. Those that could walk, were helped up the 20 foot embankment. Those who could not, were not moved, but covered for warmth. They were covered in cold wet red mud, sometimes making mud and blood distinction hard. Everyone worked as a team. Six guys helped me lift the roof of the bus off one boy. Other dug out the mud to get a woman from half under the bus. Someone stayed with every single person who was found to be alive, even if it was only faint breath or heartbeat, talking to them and letting them know we were there. One woman took it upon herself to find pen and paper and try to get a headcount, trying to find out people's names and account for everyone. Unfortunately, we also had to cover up some bodies. It took one hour for any medical help to arrive since we were 40 miles from any towns. When they did arrive, everyone helped, holding lights, moving debris to get EMTs in closer to each person, and helping to carry injured on backboards up the embankment, then staying with them until loaded into ambulances. We stayed until every person or body was clear of the wreckage, and ready for transport. Then we were loaded back on our bus when the Sheriff cleared our bus driver to leave the scene. We had been there, some without their own jackets or gloves, for 4 hours. I did a headcount and we drove towards Kayenta AZ. It was a very quiet drive. I talked with our driver and he said his company would put us up in Kayenta for the night, or we could continue on to try and make it to Phoenix. I did not even ask my group, but told them we were staying the night. Weather was getting worse and we were all in shock. No one objected. We worked as a unit to unload what we needed from the bus, got into our rooms, showered to get mud and blood off of us and tried to sleep. Myself, I only slept about 2 hours when my body completely shut down. When I woke up, all I could do was cry, and wonder what I could have done different to help out better, and what can be done to help next. We took a vote at 10 AM Monday as to whether we wanted to drive in the now heavily coming down snowstorm, or wait another day, or even a few hours. We left Kayenta at 11:30AM to take advantage of warming daytime temps and our driver drove very cautiously, one leg at a time, from city to city. We arrived back at our cars in Phoenix at about 7PM, and as a team again, unloaded the bus. We were now a family, everyone, including our bus driver. None of us will ever forget this tragedy. It forged a bond between us. I will forever call them my bus load of Heroes. __________________________________________________ I have set up an account to help those who were on Bus 12, that was in the accident. It is at Wells Fargo Bank, account #8453-450879, the Telluride Ski Bus Fund. Anyone can donate, any amount, at any branch. Thank you for your prayers and kind words, everyone. Luis

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Larry	On Angels Wings..... When I first heard about this tragic bus accident, I could not believe it; shocked and speechless to be honest....how many times have we all went up to Telluride to ski and prayed that we all negotiated the roads and slopes safely? Luis was courageous in the face of this devastating tragedy and the heroes on board the bus will never be forgotten, and they will always be in our prayers. Just more impetus and incentive for us all to live every day to the fullest and to love and serve those around us. Immense thanks to all who have helped out in numerous ways....we know not the day nor the hour, and no one here gets out alive. Carpe Diem - we must seize the day. And thanks to Luis and his busload of heroes.
Beth	Such a tragedy 3 members of my company were injured while traveling on bus 12. One woman was there with 7 of her family members. She sustained serious pelvic injuries, will be undergoing numerous surgeries and is expected to be hospitalized for several months. Her 2 sons are being released and her husband is said to be doing well. Her family was split up between 4 hospitals. Sadly her mother, daughter and sister-n-law were 3 of the 9 people who died that night. Our company is rallying together with fundraisers also being donated to a Wells Fargo account and the Grand Canyon Credit Union. I would like to thank all of you for all that you did to help the members of my company's "family". I am VERY proud to tell people that MY FRIENDS were there to help! I am so thankful that all of you are safe! You were there to be angels that night. God Bless you all!
Nora	... My heart goes out to you and your friends, and the other friends and family of those who were lost. Thank you for sharing this story. You all were very brave, and I know you did everything possible to help those people. You were a blessing to them.
Janet	Living angels! Thank God for your bus load of living angels that were there to minister to those on the accident bus. I'm sure that your help to the injured made a difference to all those affected. Our prayers go out to all the families and to those that aided them. Now it is time to take care of and heal yourselves after such a tramatic experience and memory!
Kristy	My thoughts are with you... I am truly sorry that this happened to you and my heart goes out to the people on bus 12. Thanks for letting us know about this. I am glad you are safe.
Vicky	Thanks I heard about the on the news and am glad you've kept us informed.
brooke	Thank God for people like you Luis! My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this....so sad....
Luis	thank you Thank you for informing us.
Greg	Family My thoughts & prayers go out to everyone who was on Bus 12 & to those who helped the survivors. Your story is, at the same time, both sad & inspiring. I believe it when you say that you are all family now, may you find comfort & strength in one another.
Luis	You can help I have set up an account to help those who were on Bus 12, that was in the accident. It is at Wells Fargo Bank, account #8453-450879, the Telluride Ski Bus Fund. Anyone can donate, any amount, at any branch. Thank you for your prayers and kind words, everyone. Luis
Terri	You're in our prayers Luis, Of all people to be there to help, thank GOD it was you. Im at a loss for words. Consider this a HUGE HUUUUGGGG!!{XXXX}You are all amazing! May this also teach people what a gift our friends, family and our lives are.
Marie	Heroes Each and everyone of you is a HERO! Unfortunately it takes a tragedy before we realize the compassion and goodness in people. I am glad that you and the others were there to help. My thoughts are with you all.
Jane	So very sad!! Luis, What a nightmare for all those involved and their families. It was a good thing your bus found them. I had a friend from work on the second bus too. He is in the hospital doing better. Our prayers are with all those involved and the families.
William	Sad I too had a sinking feeling when I first heard the story... if there's anything positive about such a bad situation, it was that Luis and the others were there to lend their efforts to those in need.
Kathye	Luis What a terrible tragedy. Is there anything that we can do for anyone in the other bus, or for the families of the people who lost their lives?
Carolyn	Thank you so much for sharing this... Luis, I know it took a lot of courage and pain to right this for us, but I want you to know how much it is appreciated. I will keep this article so that I can remember it, your suffering, and everyone who suffered on both buses, and their families. Thank you for being such a great leader and for all the heroes, I will learn a great deal from your examples. Khanh and Matt you know we are your family here and we are here to support you. Bless you.
lori	Such sad news.... my heart sank when I first saw the news report early Monday A.M....I did not have a good feeling about it and then when it was confirmed a few hours later, it was just so horrific and sad. To those who perished...rest in peace forever.....to those who survived, find comfort and healing with your family and friends. "Live each day as if it is your last and also as if you will live forever....."
Amanda	~ I am at a loss for words yet find myself incredibly moved by your sharing Luis. Thank you so much for posting this and for reminding us about the selfless "bigger picture" of life. I hope you and all the other heroes are doing what you need right now to take care of yourselves.
Khanh	Luis' the man Thank you everyone for all your well wishes and prayers. You should all know (if you don't already) what a phenominal job Luis did in leading, organizing, and taking care of every single one of us during the whole trip. We had complete trust and faith in Luis and was very fortunate to have been a part of his team.
Donna	so sorry So sorry to hear about this accident. Thank god you guys were on the same road and were able to help. My heart goes out to you and the family and friends of those lost.
Willie	When hearing about this on the news last night, I felt so sorrowful for those who had lost their lives and for the loved ones who now grieve. It was a tragic accident. Luis, you, Matt and Khanh and the people on your bus were certainly a blessing to those who were needing help. Because your driver and others were near and had awareness to stop, the number of people from your bus prevented more distress to those left while they had to wait for the medical care. All of you gave so much!
Lynn	Faith & Responsibility God bless you all in this time of healing. An event like this reminds us of the fragility of our existence and the blessing of family and friends. We know not the hour nor the day that we may be called home, but have hope that we will be good servants with our time until then. What can we do for YOU now?
Marilyn	my prayers are with you.... my prayers to you and all who were touched by this tragedy.
Mike	. I'm very glad to see ya'll returned safe, but very sad for the people that suffered on the first bus. Thank you for sharing.
Samantha	Wow Luis, You and everyone else who put their fears and emotions aside to help all those in torment really ARE heroes. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families.
Joel	... Bus Load of Heroes is right. Sad sad tale and day for you on what was suppose to be the end of a trip. My heart goes out to you and all affected by this loss. Excellent summary, I can't imagine the courage you had to be on the scene. My thoughts be with you. -Joel - meetinDC
Bill	Heros we know I understand Matt and Khanh were on the bus with you Luis, and that they were helping you with the injured. I'm so glad you all are safe and so sad for the people who didn't make it and for their families.
Andrea	heroes indeed! I can't even begin to imagine what you have experienced. I grieve with you for your loss. What a beautifully written expression of how~even in tragedy~caring hearts and selfless acts of loving people came together in time of great need. My heart and prayers are with you and others who have suffered this loss.
Terry	Luis... Our hearts and prayers are with all of you. The spirit and strength of character of the people that surround you is a testament for all to follow. You are in my thoughts......
andy	. a wonderful story of spirit, friendship and perserverance in the face of tragedy. i agree, you are all heroes.