11/20/09

By Rachel Azevedo

The Henderson family revisits the area where a terrifying accident happened just the day before. Sisters, 15-year-old Melissa and 14-year-old Anna were riding the bus back home to Crooked River Ranch when it went off the road near Mustang and Steelhead, traveling more than 300 feet into a field after the driver apparently lost consciousness.

"All of a sudden we were turning to the left and I'm all like, 'What's going on?'" said Anna Henderson.

The tracks show the bus left Mustang Road, mowing down several metal posts, then a stop sign before going across Steelhead Road and eventually coming to a stop in this field. The girls' father was on scene within moments.

Melissa was in the back of the bus but she reacted quickly; first checking on the driver.

"I asked her if she was alright and she shook her head no and was kinda mumbling. I couldn't understand her so I flipped the emergency switch to open the doors and had everybody hop off the bus," said Melissa Henderson.

By that time, a passer-by had stopped to help. He told Melissa to write down the names of all the kids on the bus. She said they'd all been jostled during the bumpy ride and several were bleeding from their mouth and nose. One student and the driver were taken to the hospital.

Melissa attributes her ability to keep a clear head to a high school program.

"I've been in ROTC at Redmond High School for, this is my second year, and that leadership part came into play and I kept a mellow head."