Commending and thanking the police, first responders and witnesses for their immediate rescue efforts of Charles W. Henry School students, teachers and chaperones involved in a bus crash while on their way to Washington, DC.

WHEREAS, On Monday, May 15, 2017 a tour bus carrying 26 students, three chaperones and a bus driver overturned on southbound Interstate 95 near Havre de Grace, Maryland; and

WHEREAS, The students, 8th graders from the Charles W. Henry School in the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia, were on their class trip to Washington, DC when the bus unexpectedly overturned on the highway, injuring all the passengers and throwing at least one out of the bus and into the adjacent woods; and

WHEREAS, Three vans carrying Philadelphia police officers and their families, also on their way to Washington, just happened to be traveling behind the tour bus. Upon seeing the crash, the officers immediately jumped into action and along with other witnesses, worked to right the bus, pull out children and teachers and rescue the one child who was thrown into the nearby woods; and

WHEREAS, The police were able to render immediate first aid and keep the students calm, staying with them until all were transported to hospitals; and

WHEREAS, The unselfish and quick action by the officers, their family members and other witnesses helped limit the serious injuries to only two passengers, a child and a teacher, who were air lifted to nearby medical facilities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby commends and thanks the police, first responders and witnesses for their immediate rescue efforts of CW Henry students, teachers and chaperones involved in a bus crash while on their way to Washington, DC.

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