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Teen Hit By Bus Thankful That She Is Alive
September 16, 2009
A Bratt teenager says she is lucky to be alive after being bumped by her school bus when it was slammed from behind Tuesday morning on Highway 4.
Courtney Gibson, 17, was crossing the road in front of her bus to board it when the bus was struck from the rear by a van driven by her neighbor. The impact sent the front of the van under the bus, pushing the bus forward about 21 feet and into Courtney’s arm. The impact was so severe it lifted the bus into the air; the back tires of the bus were left a few inches off the ground, supported by the van. Her only injury is a small bruise on her arm.
“I could have been killed, but I was so blessed,” she said. “I do thank God. He’s obviously got a plan for my life.”
It started as an ordinary day for Courtney and her mom, Janis Weaver. Like clockwork, Janis headed out of the driveway at 5:45 a.m., driving “BE 1″, Bryneville Elementary School’s new bus. At 6:15, Courtney was at the end of the driveway waiting for her bus to take her to West Florida High School where she is a senior. She is the first student to get on the bus each day.
“I looked both ways before crossing the road. I almost got hit one time before, so I try to be careful,” Courtney said.
“I saw him, but I thought he stopped,” she said of the van driven by Jesse Warner, 36. Jesse lives just four houses away. She continued across the street, around the guard at the front of the bus — an arm that extends to keep students from walking too close to the front of the bus where they can’t be seen by the driver.
“All of the sudden, Jesse’s van slammed into the bus. It moved forward and hit me in the arm. All is remember is screaming,” she said. “I got up and got on the bus.
“I was shaken and scared. I started crying when I talked to my mom (on the phone).”
Courtney also credits her survival to the quick thinking of her bus driver, Brenda Strickland of Pensacola. Strickland pulled the emergency brake, helping to stop the forward motion of the bus. Brenda was not injured in the crash, but she’s taking some time off before returning to work later this week.
“Mrs. Brenda is my hero; without her quick thinking, that bus could have rolled right over me.”
Once on the bus, Courtney did not realize the severity of the crash, and she did not know that it was her neighbor that had slammed into the bus. Once she was back off the bus, she knew the crash was bad, but it was some period of time before she realized who had hit the bus.
“I feel so bad for him, and I feel to bad for his kids,” she said. “I can imagine how they feel at this time.”
At West Florida High School, Courtney is working on becoming a certified nursing assistant. She has plans to study ultrasound at Pensacola Junior College and become a sonographer.
But she realizes that dream was almost cut short Tuesday morning.
“I almost didn’t get that chance,” Courtney said. “I just thank God that I did.”
For more information about the accident, click here for another story.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
44 Responses to “Teen Hit By Bus Thankful That She Is Alive”
This is just sad that people would sit and make bad comments towards each other when people lifes were saved.MY opinion is, i know how good God is and i wouldnt waste my time trying to defend his doings.Im thankful that Coutrney is okay and that the driver will heal.A Blessing!!!!
To Slackjaw,
AMEN
We have a gentleman who remains in the hospital and a young lady who is thankful to God that she was not seriously injured in this accident.
Can we have enough grace to step back and focus on the consequence of this accident on their lives and on the lives of their families and friends? Can we consider how true it is that it could have been OUR child who was the student, or OUR mother who was driving the bus, or OUR husband who was driving the van and consider how we would feel if any of these scenarios entered our own lives?
Can we put a hold on our desire to stir up unnecessary drama and dream up theories that insult the professionalism of those involved, especially when those theories are irrelevant and are just “busy-body” talk?
Can we hold our tongues on the religious debate that insults the faith of those whose beliefs give them strength in this difficult personal moment? Can it ever be a good thing to try to shake the faith of a person who depends on it?
Let’s do no harm here, and simply be thankful for all that there is to be thankful for.
this comment is for “FREE THINKER” your prayers never go unanswred. they are just not answered when “WE THINK WE WANT THEM TO BE ANSWERED. GOD gives us just what we need on time. SInce you are a free thinker….think free. Have you ever wanted something right then, and you did not get it. but when you did receive whatever it was, did you ever say or think to yourself “This is right on time, or I really needed this now. THAT’S GOD ANSWERING YOUR UNPRAYED PRAYER. he answers all prayers, just not when we want him to.
REGARDING:
Freethinker on September 17th, 2009 11:24 am
“David Green,
I would say the same thing to you. Interesting god you believe in. Your god has time to swoop down and save one child from a bus acciden yet allows millions of others to suffer and die daily.”
I said that where?
You are attacking the little girl’s stated beliefs, not mine.
I believe in freedom as long as nobody else is injured. I even believe people are free to do stupid things and to hurt themselves. You seem to believe in a deity who must take away all freedom if he/she/it exists.
My or the highway attitude. I find that interesting. As Mr Spock would say, “Fascinating.”
One more thing, I did not mean to sound disrespectful or condescending when I used the term “Bus driver.” I would like to apologize if this upset or offended anyone, especially Mrs. Brenda Strickland, who was operating the bus at the time of the accident. Mrs. Strickland I apologize for not using your name in my comment, this was a mistake on my part, and I apologize for it.
Courtney, we are glad you are safe and that you will recover from the injuries you suffered. The mental images of the accident you keep seeing will probably stick with you for a while. You should try to talk about it and over time this to will pass. Remember there is a “Divine” reason you were not taken from us the other morning. There was nothing you could have done different, nor was, or is, any of this “your fault”. I am not blaming anyone, (please everyone understand this) I am saying to Courtney, there was nothing you could do.
As far as everyone else goes, please try not to place blame now. this only complicates things and splits the community. we should all be focused on the fact that this accident could have been much worse. Mr. Warner is hurt very bad, a young lady was injured and shaken up pretty bad, and a bus driver, who never saw this coming, has to try and make sense of this all as well.
The community needs to unite and rejoice that this was not as bad as it could have been. all of these folks involved need the support of the community right now, not bickering and folks trying to place blame. Why don’t we let the people who are investigating this accident be the ones to place the blame, and the rest of us be good friends and neighbors.
This is just my opinion and I am not suggesting to anyone they can not or should not voice their opinion, after all this is America. I hope everyone involved makes a full recovery and would like to thank those who have been supportive already.
As a final comment to the bus driver and Courtney, this was not anything you could have prevented, do not be hard on yourselves about all of this. I will be praying for Mr. Warner and his family along with the others involved.
GRITS,
So if children of god may call onto him for help at anytime, why do so many of those calls go unanswered. Why aren’t the little children who are beaten, raped and murdered daily afforded the same protection as this child was. Are you saying these other children are evil little spawn, therefore god permits, allows or encourages this type punishment as a way to teach others a lesson? Just doesn’t make sense from a scientific point of view.
David Green,
I would say the same thing to you. Interesting god you believe in. Your god has time to swoop down and save one child from a bus accident, yet allows millions of others to suffer and die daily.
Now from a “FREETHINKERS” point of view this was all coincidence and the law of physics. The van’s impact was mostly absorbed by the FACT that the bus lifted up because the van passed under the back of the bus due to the buses’ high profile and the van’s low profile. This coupled with the fact that a 4000 lb moving vehicle struck a 14, 000 pound stationary vehicle with brakes applied. It only makes sense that the van would only travel a couple feet max upon impact.
But if it helps you sleep at night thinking someone else is watching over you, then more power to you. Just know this. When it is your time to go, no amount of prayer is going to stop that from happening.
This is really a terrible thing that has happened but we should all remember that things do happen out of our control. Just think about how many things distract us while we are driving down the road. Anything can happen to anyone no one is to blame. The bus driver did the best she could do at the time. If you look at the pictures the driver of the van moved and tried to miss the bus. There was just not enough time. So everyone tried there best in a bad situation.
REGARDING:
addon1951 on September 17th, 2009 12:19 am
“I am soooooooo glad we have David H. Green to attest to the character of everyone on this end of the county!!”
Anything for you
although Brenda doesn’t live in this end. Good people are good people even if they are south enders, I’m not prejudiced
David the tolerant of good
I don’t really know what to say, I am a bus driver, and we are NOT perfect. We make mistakes just like EVERYBODY else does, and we should ALL be thankful that the driver of the van wasn’t killed and the student wasn’t ran over and killed. I believe everything happens for a reason, and for whatever reason God let this happen, and the young lady was on television, PRAISING, and THANKING GOD, for saving her life.
What a coincidence… that today, just a couple days after the accident that 2 school employees from a neighboring county is going to court today to defend praying at school. WAKE UP people…this is a sign from God! Please just be thankful that it wasn’t worse than it was, and quit blaming people, and looking for excuses for what happened. It was an ACCIDENT!!!
I am soooooooo glad we have David H. Green to attest to the character of everyone on this end of the county!!
Parent……what are you talking about? Bratt is in the north end forty miles from Pine Forest and West Florida. Our children are picked up at home because this is the country, you know farms,cows, horses, fields that the farmers grow food in. Most of live to far away to take our kids to a certain school to ride buses.
We are very;
Thankful for Courtney, who knows of her blessing, Brenda’s quick thinking in a bad situation, and praying that Jesse Warner will be quickly healed.
Janis and Courtney and Jesse Warner are all good people and friends here at Bratt. God blesses again. Amen.
Freethinker, you asked a good question. The answer to that question can be found in Genesis. Man is the only creature on earth that has free will. God won’t stop us from doing stupid or evil things – but we have to face consequences for our actions.
On the other hand, God does protect us from our own actions and the actions of others. He is especially protective of children. Matthew 18:10 tells us: “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.”
That means children have their own angels – the most powerful angels in heaven. They have direct access to God the Father – and they can call on Him to protect the children in their care at any time. Get a Bible and study it, if you don’t already have one. What you find in there will amaze you.
Driver Procedure
1. Check traffic, weather and road conditions to determine a safe distance needed to warn traffic of an upcoming stop.
2. Activate yellow warning lights a safe distance (at least 300 feet in rural areas and 100 feet in urban areas.)
3. Stop 10 feet before loading or unloading area. a.Crack door immediately to activate red flashing lights and stop signs. b. APPLY PARKING BRAKE!!!!!!!! c. Open door and load or unload students when safe.
4. Students should load in an orderly fashion after the bus stops, all traffic stops and the bus driver signals them to load.
5. Students should be seated before the bus moves.
6. Before moving the bus, the driver must a. RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE. b Check all mirrors, especially front crossover and side mirrors. See the part about parking brakes so yes you are always to use your parking brake while loading and unloading. I just hope this will give you a better ideal of the procedure of the driver any driver. From time to time things happen but if you are going to say something have your facts right.
FreeThinker:*
Listen, take a moment to think..Think of the word you used. to decribe yourself; FREE, We all are given a choice by GOD our father to be FREE. and that other word you used. THINKER*. FREE TO THINK, Given this gift by GOD OUR FATHER AND OF COURSE HIS SON WHOM DIED FOR ALL ,,WHAT A PRICE…WAS PAID…..I AM SOOO THANKFUL YOU REALIZE THAT THE FREE THINKING WE HAVE DURNING THIS DAY AND TIME COMES FROM “GOD’S LOVE’. WHAT A SAVIOR, FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE, ALL KNOWING, CHRIST. i TOO AM VERY PROUD TO KNOW THAT I HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHOICES. ACCIDENTS ARE SOME TIME CAUSE FROM CHOICES, BAD CHOICE THAT WE HAVE FREEDOM TO CHOSE IS GREAT. MAY GOD BE GIVEN THE GLORY FOR KEEPING HIS ANGELS CLOSE. I PRAISE YOU GOD!
and lest there be any question, Brenda is a fine person, fine driver, practically perfect in every way.
Intersting thought, not to blame people for not seeing large orange and black buses with lights galore and hitting it–these things happen. Just a thought, though, but parking brakes lock the back wheels. If the rear wheels have been lifted partly into the air by a vehicle driving under the bus, the rear brakes are less effective. In this case the front brakes are likely to do most of the holding. I wasn’t there but have no doubt Brenda was using both because I know Brenda.
We drivers really don’t want anyone hurt at all; it messes up the entire day. We set our parking brakes because we are told to and because that way, the bus stays still even if we are distracted by a fight on the bus or some other distraction. There are lots of distractions and this way the bus does not move unless we actually decide to move it by releasing the brakes.
A concerned mother once was chewing me out for taking too long to get her child home. After she chewed long enough she magnanimously told me I could go.
I explained that No, I couldn’t go.
“Why not?”
“Because I’m not killing any children just because you’re mad at me.”
She looked around and realized there were children wandering in front of the bus. Had she been driving, she would have gone forward without looking and messed up her day.
The horrified look on her face made up for the chewing. She finally had an inkling what it was like and that any distraction can kill. Sometimes we just have to go slow.
REGARDING:
Freethinker on September 16th, 2009 6:13 pm
“Why didn’t GOD just prevent the whole accident in the first place?”
So you think God should force people to drive perfectly?
Intersting god you belive in.
Trunk routes? Pulling Brakes? ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? WHO WOULD BE COMPLAINING OVER THESE THINGS HAD THIS YOUNG GIRL LOST HER LIFE???? NO ONE! WHY? BECAUSE IT IS TRIVIAL! MY GOODNESS PPL
OK….. None of us was there to know exactly when Mrs. Brenda pulled her brake ! But WE as bus drivers know that the bus has to come to a COMPLETE STOP to do so ! And by that time ALL YOUR LIGHTS should have been activated ! If people would pay more attention to what is happening on the road and just SLOW down it would be alot safer !
‘This is to mom’—- I do have my cdl and I am a driver and I was trained to pull my brake at student stops and railroads! When I take field trips to pensacola I will even pull my brake at long red lights .. Attend inservice if you are a driver
Freethinker – It doesn’t work like that. I would love to see you at church this Sunday. Jesus loves you brother!
It was great watching you on channel 3 news giving praise to the Lord. Thank you for not being affraid to stand up for what you believe in. Maybe this will give other students courage to take a stand! Thank you for honoring the lord who is worthy to be praise!!!!
I too thought it would be a trunk route and students had to meet at certian schools for pick up ? Not at thier door!
Isn’t West Florida on a “trunk” route. All the other students that go to West Florida are on that system, unless you live in Pine Forests area and can ride one of the buses that goes there, if I’m not mistaken.
I have a child that attends West Florida and they are supposed to be at an assigned school that is near us because of the “Trunk” routing.
Why was she being picked up at her house?
Well all in all, I’m glad everyone is safe!! And this is truly a miracle!!
I am glad your ok courtney. Alot of people care about you and i dont know what we would do if this accident was more severe then it was, for you. I feel bad for the family of the driver. See you at school.
For all of you praising GOD for not allowing this ACCIDENT to have a much worse outcome…………….
Why didn’t GOD just prevent the whole accident in the first place?
Hopefully, the driver of the van will be okay? I am so thankful that no-one else was in the van with him, especially in the front passenger seat.
I am kinda curious though as I haven’t read it anywhere or heard on the tube. Does anyone know how fast he was supposively driving to lift the bus up off the wheels and go so far up under it and if his eyes were not on the road to see that the bus was stopped, where were they?
Kinda hard to miss a big yellow school bus sitting in the road, unless the fog was really bad or something.
Come on people get a grip!! I knew it was only a matter of time before the comments become the blame game because there are stupid people in the world that have nothing better to do than try an point the finger. To just me “NO” it is not required to pull the air brake at every stop. Do you have your CDL or do you drive a bus. Probably not!!!!! That is why it is so easy for you make tell us Bus drivers how to drive. Now if you think you can drive a school bus full of children I say go for it but as for Ms. Brenda,I think she did what she was suppose to do. Come on people lets just be THANKFUL FOR GOD’S BLESSINGS AND NOT TRY TO POINT FINGERS!!!!!
I’m glad everyone is ok, but am REALLY glad no one, especially a child was in the passenger seat of that van…….
Courtney! Im glad you’re okay. Yesterday morning, everybody in Pre-Nursing was like, “where’s Courtney?..she had perfect attendance last year, so what is going on!” I just found out about your incident. I’m praying for you Court!
stay cool
Lytrice Salter
Thanks for all the comments and concerns. I am lucky to have survived with nothig but a scratch and bruise. My left side is sore, but that’s about it. God used mrs. paula to pray for me at the exact moment it happened and she didn’t even know about it yet. Thank you! I thank God for keeping me safe and mrs. brenda for her quick thinking. If she wouldn’t have pulled the air brake the bus could have kept on going and rolled right over me. I’m a little emotionally wound up, but thats about it. I can’t stop thinking about what happened and what could of happened. I pray that Jesse Warner makes it through o.k. Images of the accident keep flashing through my mind. Its a little fuzzy cuz it happened so fast. Thank you for your concerns and prayers. Praise be to God!!!
Good job Mrs.Strickland! This is why our children are safer on buses rather than our cars !
Yes I too pull my brake at every stop! That is how I was trained !
To David Huie Green
Last night on channel 3 news I heard someone state that the bus driver saw that the van was about to hit the bus and so she pulled her parking break. I’m just just saying.
U GO COURTNEY!!!! I am sooo happy to hear you are fine! I saw you standing over by the bus that morning and I knew…… I was so thankful to see your smile!!!!
You are a sweet girl and I know your mamma is so proud of you!!
Love ya sweetie!! God had his hands on you for sure!!!
Ms. Juanita
REGARDING:
” may be wrong, but I thought all bus driver’s have to pull their parking brake at every stop. Something to think about.”
We’re supposed to. I always do, I assume she already had.
Also I am so happy this young lady is ok.
Thinks just me needs a life .
I may be wrong, but I thought all bus driver’s have to pull their parking brake at every stop. Something to think about.
JANIS!!!! I am So Thankful your daughter is ok! I cant imagine what you must have gone through! I wasn’t aware that Courtney was involved until I read a comment about her under yesterday”s story. COURTNEY, Though you may be shaken and very fearful…KNOW that God has his hand on you, my dear! He does, indeed have a plan for your life!!!
Hey gald that u r ok. Joe said that angels were walking with u yesterday. You r a great girl. TTYL
Love you
Courtney, we are so glad that you are okay. As you said, thank the good lord above that Mrs.Brenda’s instincts, training and that little voice in the back of her head (her angle) told her to set that emergency brake just in time to prevent it from being much worse for you.
Hope everyone involved will be okay. Stay safe and always expect the unexpected!