[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 79 (Monday, May 14, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1034]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF THE OUTSTANDING SERVICE AND RESPONSE TO THE EMERGENCY 
    WORKERS WHO HELPED ELIZABETH FORWARD HIGH SCHOOL ON MAY 3, 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TIM MURPHY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 14, 2007

  Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, in times of crisis, 
all too often those who risk their own safety and go beyond the call of 
duty remain unknown and unrecognized. Today I want to recognize those 
who have helped in a moment of need. On May 3, 2007, tragedy befell 
Elizabeth Forward High School and in their moment of need, their 
guardian angels responded in the form of emergency rescue workers from 
the police and five different hospitals.
  On what was supposed to be an exciting and memorable trip, 29 
students, seven parents and four staff members from the school were 
traveling on the Pennsylvania Turnpike about 30 miles outside 
Philadelphia on their way to a band competition in Wildwood, NJ. At 
around 4:30 on a peaceful morning, as most of the students slept in 
their seats, a slow moving tractor trailer moved into the way of the 
bus.
  The bus could not stop nor move out of the way in time and the two 
collided. The accident awoke the students to the sight and sound of a 
nightmare as the truck and bus stuck together and skidded out of 
control for over 400 feet before finally coming to a stop.
  Emergency rescue workers raced to the scene to find the two vehicles 
had become stuck together in one giant jigsaw puzzle of twisted steel, 
a site that closed the turnpike until the situation could be fully 
assessed. By the grace of God, none of the students were critically 
injured; however, all needed thorough examination to treat wounds and 
help those needing medical treatment. The students, parents, and staff 
members were sent to 5 hospitals in the area.
  An unexpected tragedy occurring in an unfamiliar area far away from 
home is a nightmare, and for Elizabeth Forward High School, this 
nightmare became reality. But their guardian angels went above and 
beyond the call of duty to ensure their safety, treat the injured, and 
communicate to the families the situation each of their children faced 
while assuring their safety.
  I would like to extend my most heartfelt thanks and praise to all of 
those involved in the protection of our students. I would like the 
Congressional Record to reflect that the emergency workers in these 
organizations are truly heroes deserving of our most sincere 
appreciation: The Pennsylvania State Police, Brandywine Hospital, 
Chester County Hospital, Paoli Hospital, Reading Hospital and Medical 
Center, St. Joseph Medical Center, TA Nelson Bus Line.

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