RICHVILLE — Emily F. McLellan was home resting Thursday after her Ogdensburg Free Academy marching band bus collided with a car Wednesday night, shutting down Route 11.
Emily, 14, was one of two students taken to Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, Ogdensburg, for precautionary treatment of bumps to the head. Stanley A. and Marion E. Ferris, 86, the North Syracuse couple whose car crossed into the bus's path near Main Street, were in fair condition Thursday afternoon at Upstate Medical University, Syracuse.
"I didn't know what was going on," said Emily, a flute player. "I was crying. My friends hugged me. We basically just took care of each other. Everyone was making sure everyone was OK."
The accident occurred at 9:36 p.m., when Mr. Ferris, 81, traveled into the opposite lane after failing to make a curve and drove into the path of the bus returning from a marching band competition at the Gouverneur & St. Lawrence County Fair.
Bus driver Thomas W. Fife, 62, of 505 Anthony St., Ogdensburg, steered right, trying unsuccessfully to avoid the car. The tires and front axle were ripped off the bus, which ended up in a ditch. The Plymouth Acclaim was totaled, and the Ferrises had to be removed with emergency power tools.
"I fell out of my seat into the aisle and basically bashed my head on the seat a few times," Emily said. "I'm fine. I just have a headache."
William J. Vielhauer, 13, was the other student taken to Claxton-Hepburn. Emily said he told her he hit his head on a window. No other students were injured.
The Ferrises were taken to E.J. Noble Hospital, Gouverneur, before being sent to Upstate. Mr. Ferris was treated for shoulder and possible internal injuries. Mrs. Ferris was treated for chest and internal injuries and fractures.
"Within minutes, personnel was there. Half of the people behind them were firefighters and emergency personnel," said Jeffrey C. Howlett, marching band director.
Firefighters and rescue squad members from seven St. Lawrence County units were leaving the fair parade and stopped to help.
The bus was the last of three from OFA to leave Gouverneur. Only eight students were on board since many decided to get rides home from parents because a thunderstorm was approaching, Mr. Howlett said. OFA scored the highest of all schools at the parade and nabbed top honors for most-spirited mascot and rifle unit.
The buses left Gouverneur about 9:15 p.m., shortly after marching band winners were announced.
Mr. Howlett was in one of the earlier buses, which did not see the accident. He was not allowed to return because emergency crews shut down Route 11. He kept in contact with assistant Christopher S. Cole, the chaperone on the crashed bus.
Parents had to pick up children from the Richville fire station.
It was the last parade for Mr. Howlett, who is retiring after 31 years as marching band director.
"It's not exactly the end we'd want, but I'm glad everybody is OK," he said.
County sheriff's deputies charged Mr. Ferris with failing to keep right and failing to reduce speed for a hazard.
