Over 3 Dozen Kentucky Students Hurt in Bus Crash

 

Returning from a visit to Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, a bus carrying 42 people,
including students from Waggener High School in Louisville, crashed, resulting in injuries to all passengers, with some of them being critical. Most injuries were identified as minor to moderate, according to emergency management spokeswoman Jody Duncan.

Of the 42 passengers, thirty of the students and four adults were taken to hospitals. 

The chartered bus was going west on Interstate 64 close to the Jefferson-Shelby county line when the crash happened at about 2:30 p.m. EDT.

An investigation is underway over the cause of the accident, with one possibility it being related to tires, although nothing is conclusive at this time.

  
There was another bus involved with the trip which wasn't involved in the accident, with all aboard being returned safely to Louisville.

Fort Knox Training Ground Becomes Fort Knox Killing Ground - Navy Seal Dies

Navy Seal Special Warfare Operator Third Class Jonathan H. Kaloust died in a training accident at
Fort Knox Wednesday, and seven others of the team were injured as the Humvee he was riding in turned over, according to Navy officials.

The seven members of the Seal team suffered minor injuries, and all were released after being treated.

Fort Knox has been used by the Navy for training exercises since World War II. The 170 square miles it covers includes the Salt River, which runs through the area. Most important from a training perspective is the Salt River, which is used for a variety of live fire exercises using artillery, as well as helicopter and Bradley fighting vehicle training, among other purposes.

The area is so hot it's designated as a danger zone by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with the public not allowed to enter the area.

Kaloust, who was from Massapequa, N.Y., joined the Navy in 2011, and was 23-years-old at the time of his death. The accident remains under investigation.

Kentucky School Bus Crash Injures Students

A school bus transporting a high school girls softball team crashed Friday in western Kentucky,
injuring a number of students.

The accident took place on U.S. 60 just before 5 pm CDT, in Livingston County. Reportedly, 28 people were on the bus when the accident occurred.

State Police Trooper Richie Wright said the bus ran off the shoulder of the road before swerving to the other side and eventually rolling over on its side.

According to Wright, 25 of the 28 people were taken to local hospitals, although none had life threatening injuries. It wasn't clear why one person had to be airlifted from the scene of the accident, although Wright said it wasn't due to serious injuries. Perhaps is was an existing medical condition. Wrights comments point to the possibility or running out of resources to take the patients to the hospital.

"When you have 25 injured, that takes a lot of resources from a lot of counties," Wright said. "By the time they had that many patients, they needed the helicopter to take one to the hospital."

Emergency tools had to be used to extricate passengers from the bus.

Kentucky Girl Accidentally Shot by Brother

In a tragic accident, a 2-year-old girl girl from southern Kentucky was accidentally shot by her 5-year-old brother with a .22-caliber rifle. He reportedly had received the rifle as a gift and was playing with it when it accidentally went off.

The .22 rifle was one made for youths, and the boy was allegedly used to handling the gun.

Apparently a round was left in the gun that wasn't known about, resulting in the death of the little girl. That points to the fact the youth wasn't used to handling the gun properly, as checking for rounds left in a gun is one of the first things one learns.

Also a bad practice was the leaving of a real gun in a corner that can be accessed by simply grabbing it; especially when children are around. It also points to irresponsibility on the part of a parent, who can't rely on a 5-year-old to remember to check if there are any shells left in a gun.

Sadly for the little girl, she was the victim of these lapses.

According to Cumberland County Coroner Gary White, the shooting will be ruled as accidental.

Body Found in Kentucky Lake Identified

The Lake Ellerslie Fishing Club was the location of a body that was discovered by a groundskeeper on Saturday, April 7, which has now been identified as that of a Lexington man.

According to Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn, the remains of 45-year-old Michael Sanderson indicate he was probably in the private lake since last summer.

Ginn added it could take months before a final report is made, adding the cause of death for Sanderson may never be determined.

All that was left of Sanderson's body was his bones.

4-H Animals Die in Northern Kentucky Fire

Several 4-H animals died in a Northern Kentucky fire early Friday morning. The barn that housed them, built in 1892, was a total loss as well.

The fire was at 4999 Burlington Pike in the Burlington, Kentucky area.

Among the animals dying were cattle and pigs, although a couple of steers, also part of a
4-H program, were saved.  They did get some injuries from the fire. They are expected to make it okay.

"When we arrived on scene there was already substantial fire damage to the barn," said Burlington Fire Chief Jeff Barlow. "There was no way to get inside to do anything. We would not have had any living animals."

Hay stored in the barn kept the fire going for hours. Grain and other equipment was also stored in the barn.

Arson isn't suspected at this time.

Ludlow, Kentucky Train Accident Results in Death

photo credit: wxix

 

An accident in Ludlow, Kentucky in the area of  Sandbank and Bromley Crescent Springs Road has resulted in the death a man who was hit by a train.

The locomotive was a Norfolk Southern train.

While the name of the victim won't be released until his family has been notified, it appears the inspection of a burgundy Chevy Impala points to it being the one driven by the victim when hit by the train.

An investigation is ongoing at this time.

Kentucky Fire Fatalities Hit 22 in Early 2013

 

The large number of fire deaths in Kentucky so far in the early part of 2013 has prompted state fire marshal William Swope to make some comments on how residents can better protect themselves.

So far 22 people have died in fires so far in the early part of 2013. At the same time last year there were only four deaths from fires in Kentucky.

"Compared to last year at this time, we had four. The year before we had 21. So it goes up and down but I think this year because we had so many, so close together and it's involved multiple loss of life, that is has brought more attention to the situation," added Swope.

Swope said, "What we do know is that when it comes to fire fatalities, the common thread is the lack of a working smoke detector."

As for the causes of fires, each case is different said Swope.

The latest tragedy was March 14, where 3 people perished in a home fire in the Alpha community of Wayne County. Dead are Doug “Shorty” Walker, his wife Melvina, her grandson, Jaimie. Jaimie's sister Samantha was the only survivor of the fire.

For those unsure about smoke detectors and whether they're in working order, Swope said they should contact their local fire department.

Kentucky Dog Saved Using CPR

California firefighters attempt to save dog using CPR

A dog in a Kentucky home was trapped when a fire started and fortunately for the dog, it survived because of the work of firefighters on the scene, who found the dog unresponsive in the smoke-filled home.

After pulling the dog from the home, firefighters in Murray, Kentucky began to perform CPR on the dog through chest compressions and the use of a mask on the dogs nose, which pumped air into its lungs.

For a while it didn't look like the dog would survive, but 20 minutes later it responded, whereupon it was taken to a veterinarian to be checked out. Word is the dog will recover fully from its ordeal.

Murray Fire Department Capt. Brian Mills said this: "We were able to seal off the dog's mouth and nose enough with (a mask), and forced air in like you would on a human. Slowly but surely he came around. ... It's one of the most unique days at the office I've ever had."

Another firefighter, Steven Lax, said that the approach towards saving the dog was similar to how they would have done it if working on a person.

The dog was the only occupant of the home when the fire began in the living room. Fortunately it was able to be contained there.

Kentucky Wesleyan Students Injured in Bus Accident

A bus crash in southeastern Tennessee resulted in 22 people being taken to the hospital with various levels of injuries; none of them considered life-threatening.

Reports say the cause of the accident was faulty brakes, which resulted in the bus running over a small hill on the side of the road, whereby the bus became airborne. There were approximately 40 people on the bus.

The place of the accident was on Signal Mountain in Tennessee.

Students on the bus were members of Kentucky Wesleyan Singers.

House Fire in Kentucky Kills 5 Children, 2 Adults

photo credit: wbir.com

 

A house fire in rural southeaster Kentucky has claimed the lives of seven people, including five children.

Knox County Coroner Mike Blevins said he wouldn't be releasing the names of the victims until positive identification is made. A mother and three of her children died, but there were two other children not part of the family that are thought to be among the victims, and that is probably the reason for the delay in the release of the names - to ensure they are identified correctly.

No news on who the man that perished was yet either. While it is likely it is known who it is, the fire would have caused obvious problems in confirming the identity as well.

There is no official announcement as to the cause of the fire yet, which took place near Corbin in the Gray community. That's located about halfway between Knoxville, Tennessee and Lexington, Kentucky.

The fire remains under investigation officials said.

update:

Dead in the tragic fire are Nina Asher, 22, Jesse Disney, her fiance, Asher’s three children: identified as William, 3; Camden, 2; and Abigail, almost 1. Asher was also reportedly three months pregnant at the time of her death.

The other two children were girls of a friend that were spending a sleepover at the home when it caught fire. They have yet to be identified.

Disney and two of Asher's children who perished in the fire

 

Nina Asher and Jesse Disney

 

Nina Nicole Disney via Facebook

Another Multi-Vehicle Accident on I-65 Causes Traffic Detour

Another multi-vehicle accident has resulted in a detour being set up near Elizabethtown, as this time five vehicles were involved in the crash.

Vehicles at this time are being routed from I-65 at KY 313 (Exit 102) and then over to U.S. 31W and where I-65 can be accessed on the south side of Elizabethtown at Exit 91.Â, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

The KYTC said the detour will be in place for a minimum of a couple of hours.

So far there are no reports of injuries or damages as a result of the accident.

This is the third multi-vehicle accident over the last couple of days in the area, with a total of six deaths and five injuries from them.


Photos of multi-vehicle traffic accident near Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Trucking Company Involved with I-65 Deaths had 17 Traffic Violations

As the story concerning the 6 deaths in an accident between Sonora, Kentucky and Glendale, Kentucky emerge, it has been found that Highway Star Inc., the trucking company involved in the accident, has a total of 17 traffic violations over last two years, suggesting the 'satifactory' rating given them by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration may have been too generous.

Six people were killed after the tractor-trailer owned by the company hit the back of an SUV, causing the vehicle to catch on fire. Police reports say the driver of the truck was following too close to the vehicle when the accident happened.

Driving too close was among the infractions included in the traffic violations received by Highway Star Inc. drivers. Other infractions include improper lane change, speeding, and failure to wear a seat belt.

Kentucky State Police Master Trooper Norman Chaffins acknowledged the driver of the truck was following the SUV too closely, but at this time there have been no charges filed against the driver, Ibrahim Fetic.

Killed in the accident were 62-year-old James Gollnow and his wife, 62-year-old Barbara Gollnow; a 92-year-old friend Marion Champnise; 18-year-old Sarina Gollnow; and the couple's foster children 10-year-old Gabriel Zumig and 8-year-old Soledad Smith.

Several people were injured in an accident less than 20 minutes later, which included serious injuries
to country music singer Kellie Pickler's drummer Gregg Lohman.

Kelly Pickler's Drummer Injured in I-65 Crash Between Glendale and Sonora

The fiery crash that killed six people this weekend also resulted in five people injured. One of those injured was the drummer in the band of Kentucky native country music star Kellie Pickler.

Injured was 36-year-old Gregg Lohman of Goodlettsville, Tenn., who remains in serious condition at University of Louisville Hospital. He suffered head and neck injuries according to Kentucky State Police Master Trooper Norm Chaffins.

On her Facebook page, Pickler wrote this: "I believe in the miracles and the power of prayer, so it would mean the world to me, my band and Gregg's family if you would please keep him in your prayers. Thank y'all so much."

Both accidents continue to be under investigation as to the causes, with the one that killed six people from Wisconsin involving a tractor-trailer that at this point was known to be too close to the SUV while traveling. When it hit the SUV it burst into flames.

As for Lohman, his vehicle was hit from behind, and then his vehicle hit another vehicle in front of him, resulting in a four-car accident.

Six Dead in Two I-65 Crashes Between Glendale and Sonora

A fiery crash between a semi-truck and a SUV resulted in the deaths of five people on I65 at the 83 mile-marker between Glendale and Sonora. Just a short 16 minutes later in the same area, another crash resulted in a 6th death.

Just after 11:00 a.m. Saturday morning, the semi hit a Ford Expedition, and the the smaller vehicle burst into flames, resulting in the terrible deaths.

Two children were injured in the crash, with one being taken to Kosair Children's Hospital in Louisville, and the second was taken to Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

The second crash involved a tractor-trailer and three passenger vehicles. That was recorded as happening at 11:29 a.m.

(AP Photo/The News Enterprise, Neal Cardin)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 Update:

The six killed in the accident have now been identified as members of an extended family from Marion, Wis. They were identified as James Gollnow, 62, and his wife, Barbara Gollnow, 62; Marion Champnise, 92, a friend; Sarina Gollnow, 18, relationship unknown; and foster children Gabriel Zumig, 10, and Soledad Smith, 8.

Boone County Boy Dies in Submerged Vehicle

A tragic accident claimed the life of a 5-year-old boy in Florence, Kentucky Friday, after being submerged in a vehicle.

Reports are the family was about to take a quick trip, and had their two children and a dog in the vehicle while they were still in the house. The car somehow rolled down the driveway and ended up in a pond in the back yard. It isn't clear at this time why the car was able to roll down the driveway.

It was 30 minutes before rescue units arrived at the scene and were able to pull the young boy out of the water.

An ambulance took him to Cincinnati Children's Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

The sister of the boy and dog were able to escape before the car entered into the pond.

Eight Children Injured in Kentucky Bus Accident

Eight students were injured Monday morning after a city bus in Louisville struck a school bus with 43 children on it.

The school bus was taking children to Camp Taylor Elementary School when the Louisville city bus struck the school bus. Afterwards eight children complained of injuries and were taken to the hospital for observation, according to Jefferson County Public School spokesman Ben Jackey.

Bus number 0856 was the school bus transporting the children down Hill Street toward Preston Street when it was hit.

The school bus itself received minor damage.

Two Somerset Brothers Die of Gunshot Wounds - Alcohol Suspected

In a somewhat mysterious and largely unexplained tragedy, two brothers from Somerset, Kentucky died, apparently the first accidently, and the second from turning the gun on himself when he realized he had killed his brother.

Kyle Thacker and Kody Thacker had evidently been drinking at a friends house on Slate Branch Spur in the Slate Branch community of Pulaski County.

The narrative says that Kyle Thacker, 24, had fallen asleep on a recliner when his brother Kody, 19, picked up a 12-gauge shotgun, which it appears accidentally went off and hit brother Kyle in the head, killing him instantly.

At that time, seeing he had shot his brother, Kody then shot himself in what was described as grief from the incident.

According to Lt. Detective Brett Whitaker, alcohol appears to have been involved in the deaths.

There will be no comment because of the tragedy, but there are definitely too many missing pieces for this to be the entire story. For example, how does a gun accidentally go off when someone picks it up? Why was it pointed right at the head of Kyle, etc.?

The impression is they may have been in a drunken stupor when the gun when off.

Either way it is a terrible tragedy, one that the entirety of the whole story will never be known or told. If it was an accident, which it appears at this time to be, maybe that's better for the family overall.

Former Muhammad Ali Training Partner Killed in Kentucky Accident

Credit: Mayfield Boxing

An accident in Kentucky claimed the life of Mayfield Pennington, formerly one of the training partners of Muhammad Ali.

Mayfield, 62-years-old, died when the 1977 Corvette he was driving was hit by a tractor trailer in eastern Kentucky near Stanville. He was a resident of Pikeville, Kentucky.

Pennington also fought professionally, with his most notable victory being his defeat of former World Welterweight and Middleweight Champion Emile Griffith in 1977. His professional record was 48-16.

Ali's former trainer Bud Bruner also trained Pennington.
On his website - Mayfield's Boxing Gym - this was included as part of his obituary:

Along with his mother, he is survived by one son, Lewis Pennington of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and three daughters, Nicole Davis of Columbus, Ohio, Monica Hill and her husband, Cedric of Cincinnati, Ohio and Kelly Pennington of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

 

He is also survived by two brothers, Jeffery Pennington of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Michael Ely of Frankfort, Kentucky and two sisters, Elizabeth "DeeDee" Christensen of Colebrook, Connecticut and Gina Hawkins of Louisville, Kentucky. He is also survived by five grandchildren.

Pennington was laid to rest on February 16.