Guard unit hailed as heroes in aftermath

By Brian Livingston / staff writer

Sadness and disbelief were the prevailing thoughts Monday for a group of 47 Alabama Army National Guard troopers who ran to the scene of a Sunday church bus crash on Interstate 20/59 that left one dead and 23 injured.

Six people, including one in critical condition, remained hospitalized Monday, authorities said.

Staff Sgt. 1st Class Ike Gibson, who along with the other troopers of Detachment 1 of the 2101 Transportation Company stationed in Aliceville, Ala., said many on his bus saw the tragic accident unfold in the eastbound lane of the interstate at about 10 a.m.

The guardsmen were returning from Camp Shelby, south of Hattiesburg, from a three-day training rotation and were behind the church bus when the accident happened, Gibson said.

"We saw the vehicle, which we thought at first was a large truck, dart to the left and veer to the right," he said. "That's when it began to flip, probably three times."

As they approached the scene, they were met with a horrific sight as dozens of people were strewn across the eastbound lanes, some injured and in shock.

"It looked like a bomb had gone off," Lauderdale County Coroner Clayton Cobler said Monday. "There were bodies and debris scattered all over the eastbound lanes. It was one of the worst scenes I  have ever worked." 

The guardsmen quickly sprang into action, providing immediate aid to the victims. After they emptied the overturned bus of victims, Gibson said a large number of the soldiers heaved the bus upright, freeing two more people trapped underneath. 

"I really couldn't tell you how many of us there were pushing on that bus," said Gibson. 

The 30-passenger church bus from First Baptist Church in Shreveport, La., rolled several times after a front tire blew. The bus — carrying youths and their adult chaperons — was traveling to attend a weeklong church event near Atlanta. 

Officials said 23 people were injured and either taken to Meridian hospitals or airlifted to Jackson medical facilities. Brandon Ugarte, an 18-year old male passenger, was pronounced dead upon arrival at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian, Cobler said. 

"Everyone else has been released and have gone back to Shreveport with broken bones ... and things like that," Cobler said.

How it all unfolded

As the guardsmen approached the scene of the crash Sunday, Gibson said he instructed the driver of his bus to stop well short of the crash scene. He then sent several of his group to check on the situation. Moments later, all of the troopers exited their bus and sprinted to the aid of the victims, he said. Gibson described a terrible scene as the view came into focus.

"There were people lying inside the bus and outside bleeding, wanting help, and someone was yelling there were others trapped under the bus," Gibson said. "It was a great shock but to the credit of our people they put that behind them and went to work doing what they could."

The unique aspect of National Guard units from all over the country is they are made up of people who have full-time civilian jobs. In the case of Det. 1, 2101 TC, their ranks were filled with highway patrol troopers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, both full-time and volunteer, nurses and, added Gibson, three newly-trained Combat Life Savers.  

"None of the emergency personnel had arrived yet so we went to work evaluating the injuries, removing victims from the bus and directing the traffic," Gibson said. "Everyone knew what to do."

Mississippi Highway Patrol units from Troop H and the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department arrived to take over traffic duties as did volunteer firefighters with Toomsuba and Alamucha. Paramedics from Metro Ambulance and AirCare stationed at Key Field were now on the scene releasing many of the guardsmen for other duties. 

Gibson had nothing but praise for the emergency personnel when they arrived minutes after the emergency calls had been made. He said the EMTs and the soldiers worked closely together for the same cause. 

"They didn't shoo us away but instead listened to what we had done up until that time and accepted our help to quickly care for the victims," Gibson said. "Despite the tragedy unfolding all around us, that was a pretty special thing to see."

The victims were transported to Meridian hospitals for treatment. Meridian church members from First Baptist Church, Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church and other local churches banded together to recover the personal items of the victims, including their luggage. Gibson gathered up his troopers and put them back on their bus to resume the trip to Aliceville.

"Before we started, however, we had a few moments of prayer for all those hurt in the wreck and their families," Gibson said. "I'm sure the pure emotion of what happened has not set in with many of those soldiers who were there."

Cobler said their work was heroic.

"What those guardsmen did was really something special," said Cobler. "They are what I'd term as heroes."

On its Web site, First Baptist Church said there will be a prayer service today and Ugarte’s funeral will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. John Berchmans in Shreveport, La.

Ugarte’s body will be transported to Bellview, Neb., for burial.

The church said Maggie Lee Henson, Lauren Murchison, and Sarah Smith are being treated at UMC in Jackson and Kyle Kelley, Jason Matlack, Chase Johnson are in Meridian hospitals.

Henson suffered severe head injuries and remains in critical condition, church officials said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.