—
The Tribune-Democrat is counting down the top stories of 2012, as determined by voting by newsroom employees. One story will appear each day in print and e-editions between now and the end of the year. Readers can vote for their choice for the top story at www.tribdem.com/beststories.
In March, a nearly head-on collision involving a tractor-trailer and school bus claimed the life of the trucker and injured more than 20 occupants on the bus.
About 22 students were on the bus, returning to the Turkeyfoot Valley Area School District from the Somerset County Career and Technology Center.
The accident took place on Route 281, about 11/2 miles south of New Lexington and just north of the village of Kingwood.
State police said the tractor-trailer was northbound when it crossed the center line and struck the bus.
The trucker was identified as Robert Dodson Jr. of Duncansville.
Two adults and three students were taken by medical helicopter to Memorial Medical Center.
At least three other students were flown to hospitals in Pittsburgh and Cumberland, Md.
The bus driver, Wilbert Eugene Kemp of Confluence, was taken to Memorial Medical Center, were he underwent surgery.
Other injured students were treated and released from hospitals.
Gregg Snyder of Rockwood rushed to the scene when he heard about the accident to offer assistance.
“The impact was horrendous. I’ve never seen anything like that before. It’s a wonder there weren’t more critical injuries,” he said.
Mark Bower, superintendent of Rockwood Area School District, was among school officials helping with the tragedy.
“It’s my worst nightmare as a superintendent, parent and community member,” he said about the accident.
Local News
Top 10 of 2012 | Trucker killed in crash with bus
- Local News
-
-
Game, humane groups offer $5K in bald eagle death
The Pennsylvania Game Commission and The Humane Society of the United States are offering more than $5,000 for information on whoever fatally shot a bald eagle in Cambria County earlier this month.
-
School, council, supervisors races draw voters
Area voters took to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots, with many saying school board and council or supervisors races were the driving force that brought them out.
-
Incumbents advance: 5 candidates in city cross-file for victory
Five incumbents cross-filed, as Democrats and Republicans, and entered races for both four- and two-year seats on the Greater Johnstown school board.
Nobody else appeared on any ballot. -
Patton will get another mayor
Patton, in a resounding upset, will have a new mayor, and all four incumbents in the Penn Cambria school board race will remain at their posts.
-
Split decision: Each group has two winners on City Council
Democratic Party voters offered a split decision between the two groups of Johnstown City Council candidates that campaigned against each other in this year’s primary.
-
Richland Township supervisor defeated in GOP primary
One three-term incumbent led all candidates, but another was defeated in the Republican primary for two Richland Township supervisor seats.
-
Familiar faces in Richland
Three incumbent Richland Township school board members and a newcomer won nominations for four slots on both primary ballots Tuesday, virtually eliminating a ballot contest in the November election.
-
Windber selects Pekala
Windber Borough apparently will have a new mayor.
-
Hilltop group sweeps
Four of the five candidates supported by CEASE, a citizens group with a motto of fighting tax increases in the Westmont Hilltop School District while protecting education, won the four-year seats available in the identical order on both the Republican and Democratic tickets Tuesday.
-
3 incumbents feel N.C. wrath
Voters in the Northern Cambria School District spoke loudly in Tuesday’s primary election, as three of the four incumbents failed to earn the Democrat or Republican nomination.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Game, humane groups offer $5K in bald eagle death
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
Former Rep. Weiner Running for New York Mayor
Jodi Arias: Death Penalty Would Cause More Pain
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Families Begin Returning to Their Homes in Moore
Raw: Aerial View of Moore Tornado Damage
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Raw: Students Clash With Police in Chile
Protests Outside Cincinnati IRS Office
New Xbox One Entertainment Console Unveiled
