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More than 40 students sent to area hospitals
Published Thursday, October 9, 2008
Vidalia — An early-morning accident involving a Vidalia city garbage truck and a school bus carrying Concordia Parish students sent more than 40 students and the bus driver to hospitals.
Vidalia’s Chief of Police Tapper Hendricks said the accident occurred while both vehicles were traveling eastbound on Carter Street in front of Walmart.
Hendricks said beyond that he wasn’t sure what happened.
The accident occurred sometime before 7:10 a.m. and involved only students attending Vidalia schools.
To aid in the investigation, Hendricks has enlisted the Louisiana Sate Police to help reconstruct the accident.
“We need their expertise,” he said.
The bus driver, James Cockerham, sustained the worst injuries of the accident and had to be flown to Jackson for medical care.
His daughter, Pam Frank, said her father broke both legs, had a major cut on his face and lost a massive amount of blood.
Cockerham was in stable condition before going into surgery at approximately 9:30 Wednesday night.
“It’s bad,” Frank said.
And while police have little information about the accident, Cockerham’s own grandson, Brad Cockerham, was on the bus and relayed the events of the accident to his mother.
Nicole Cockerham, Brad’s mother, said her son told her the garbage truck pulled in front of the bus and slammed on the brakes.
Lee Staggs, Vidalia’s street superintendent, oversees the garbage crew and said he still did not have all the details of the accident on Wednesday evening.
He also said he was not at liberty to discuss the information he did have about the accident.
The garbage truck’s driver, James Warner, sustained one broken rib in the accident and his passenger, Lee Collins, received only a bump on the head, Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland said.
Shortly after the accident, local emergency rooms quickly filled with students involved.
A female student at Vidalia High School sustained the worst of injuries among students, breaking her hip.
Natchez Regional Medical Center took 13 students in their emergency room.
Kay Ketchings, the hospital’s spokeswoman, said most of the students were treated for scrapes and bruises, while one was treated for a broken hip and another was treated for a broken leg.
At Riverland Medical Center in Ferriday, approximately 30 students were treated for similar injuries, with the exception of one student whose arm was broken in the accident.
Children could be seen all over the emergency room and nervous parents paced in the parking lot outside.
Parent Billy Brixey left work to check on his daughter when she called to tell him about the accident.
Brixey said his daughter, with the exception of some bruising, was mostly scared.
“She’s OK,” he said on Wednesday morning.
Hendricks said the investigation is still ongoing and did not know if either driver would face charges.
“It’s too soon to tell,” he said.
As of Wednesday afternoon, all students had been released from area hospitals except for the student who suffered a broken hip.
Comments
Posted by dragonflyday (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 12:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
this is bad,i hope mr cockerham is doing good,to the familys may GOD BLESS ya'll.
Posted by courtlayne (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 12:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My prayers are definately with Mr. Cockerham and his family and all the students!
Posted by james (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 5:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
STILL HAVE TO TRY AND SELL IT WITH THAT PHOTO ! THAT IS REAL SAD
Posted by priya (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 6:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My son's school buses have 3 seat belts for each seat, but its up to the children to put them on! and no child rides in the last seat of all the buses due to accidents.
Posted by kilabe (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 6:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Prayers are being sent to Mr. Cockerham. God bless all the children.
Posted by meluvcookies (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Could someone in Mr. Cockerham's family who posted on this yesterday please tell us how he did with the surgery last night? Any information would be great. Still praying for him. He certainly will have a long recovery. We love ya, Mr. Cockerham!!
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 7:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What else do they need to hear? One passenger on the bus has already told what happened....that the garbage truck pulled in front of them and then slammed on the brakes! Who are they trying to protect here?
Posted by 1tigerfan (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Cockerham was in surgery lastnight from 10 pm - 6 am. His legs will need to have a lot of work done on them. A main artery was cut in his face, which has caused him to lose a lot of blood. He has 2 broken bones in one leg and one broken bone in the other. His foot has broke bones as well as dislocated bones. He is still losing blood and they keep having to give him plasma. They will do more surgeries on him as he becomes more stable. He is diabetic so this could turn out to be worse than expected. Keep him in your prayers.
Posted by SandraD (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As usual, The Democrat cannot report news without being one of two things: inaccurate or insensitive. In this case, insensitive is putting it simply. When I saw this photo on the web-site yesterday, I prayed they wouldn't dare use it in the paper as today's headline. I should have known they would. This man, whom I do not know - is someone's loved one. He's someone's father and husband, maybe grandfather or brother. This picture is exceedingly graphic and I still cannot believe there wasn't a photograph that could have shown the damage without being gruesome. Way to go, Democrat. You've done is again - and it's a shame! My heart goes out to Mr. Cockerham's loved ones. I apologize that our local paper has failed you and did not consider your feelings. We wil continue to pray for your father's recovery and God's will in all of your lives!
Posted by proudteacher (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I will keep all involved in this accident in my prayers.
Posted by mommieof2 (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Does anyone know how he is doing, as of 9:30am? Hang in there Mr. Cockerham. Sue i know this is tough just be strong and trust in God. Im praying for you and Mr. Cockerham.
Posted by mommieof2 (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was going to give blood today, but don't know where to do so. If anyone knows where plz let me know!
Posted by fonkeytowngirl (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sayitloud - They need to hear everything that happened! That's what they need to hear. This child was his grandchild so of course he's going to say that the other driver was at fault and how many kids sit on the bus and pay attention to everything that's going on with traffic. I'm not saying that the kid is lying or anything because this could possibly be what he saw or thought he saw. I personally don't know what happened because I wasn't there but don't even start trying to put blame on the other person. An accident is an accident and we don't know all of the details as to what happened or why it happened. I'm sure the driver of the truck is not at all happy with what has happened just as none of us here are. I'm sure it won't be long before the investigation is complete and they will make it public as to what really happened and after speaking with both drivers about the incident. I pray for all of those involved and especially for Mr. Cockerham who has gotten the worse end of it all himself. But I do thank God that there were no fatalities here especially among the children.
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've sorry to hear about the driver's injuries,
But the first rumors were so terrible, folks were saying 30 kids had been killed and we all just started praying that it wasn't true
Our prayers were answered
Thank you Lord that the children were spared death, and we pray the young lady's broken hip heals quickly and fully, thank you Lord for your Mercy and Protection. This could have been so much worse. We pray to you Lord that the driver of the bus hangs on and pull through with his life, his head injury could be bad, please Lord help him heal.
I know a lot of kids from Vidalia and I was in shock that I might have lost some people that are so dear to me. Thank you Lord for hearing our prayers.
Obviously the dumpster truck driver made a mistake. Sounds like the garbage truck was trying to exit the road and felt like he had time to cut in front of the bus and get off the road, but didn't. I'm sure he didn't intend on having a crash of this nature. These big truck drivers need to quit driving like they are on a race course and learn to SLOW DOWN. I see it all the time, big trucks following too close, and zig zagging thru traffic as if they are driving a race car, its scary.
Posted by firered (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Was it an incident or an accident? You know those are 2 different things? I never did until someone brought it to my attention.. Or well I never actually thought about it.. I don't recall anyone trying to put the blame on anyone yet. As far as I've read the only thing reported is what an eye witness said and what information the police are releasing at this time....
Now, for the more IMPORTANT part! Mr. Cockerham and family I will be praying for all of you at this time. I hope he fully recovers as soon as possible. All of you stand strong for him and Mrs. Sue. You have a lot of us out here in the communties supporting you and praying for you. Prayers are also with all the children involved as well as the trash truck guys. May God be with you all in this difficult time.
Posted by 1tigerfan (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The family states, "We do not care about the picture." They want everyone to know that the picture on the front page does NOT bother them at all. Also, a blood drive for Mr. Cockerham is currently in the works. Will give more information when it is available. Thanks!
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
a friend of mine from the Concordia Parish courthouse says that the sun in the early morning made it hard for eastbound traffic to see well and when the garbage truck cut over, the brake lights were invisible in the blinding morning sun
there is talk it's the bus driver's fault , but I disagree, I am thinking the garbage truck should have slowed down out of respect for the safety of a SCHOOL BUS and allowed the bus to pass, then cut over in his efforts to exit, NOT speeding up and cutting over then slamming on brakes. All drivers are supposed to be on EXTREME ALERT around school buses and yield to school buses at all times, that's my opinion.
Anyway I hope the LA State Troopers can figure it out and determine truthfully what happened.
Posted by geauxtigers (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I will say a prayer for the Cockerhams. Thank God these accidents are so few and far between. So sorry this one happened.
Posted by mslugirl (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sue and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I know you are strong, so just hold on to your beliefs and all of the love that is being sent your way.
Posted by jammin1 (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 7:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What else do they need to hear? One passenger on the bus has already told what happened....that the garbage truck pulled in front of them and then slammed on the brakes! Who are they trying to protect here?
Sayitloud, my grandbaby told us the same exact thing, and even added how the men from the truck were saying they were sorry and that they didn't see the bus. Since it was the City of Vidalia's garbage truck who do you think they are trying to protect?
I have another question too. Aren't there cameras at that intersection?
I pray that Mr. James has a speedy recovery and that Ms. Sue holds strong. They are good people. I also pray for those two kids who were hurt the worst.
Posted by aak1972 (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The cameras are motion detectors and do not record. Wouldnt it be great if they did though. My kids are taken to school by me and my wife. If they had been on that bus I would want to know what happened not for blame but to insure safety,
Posted by LisaMarie (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Being the niece of Mr. Cockerham and having grown up knowing and loving him as my uncle, I can tell everyone reading this that you will not find a more loving, caring, God-fearing Christian man as him. And I personally know that he would be willing to give his very life to keep the children on his bus or any child from any harm. That's just the kind of MAN he is. Please keep praying for him and the family as I myself will continue to do. Thank you.
Posted by countrygurl2010 (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Please keep Mr. Cockerham in your prayers.
&& i am happy that everyone is alright but the little girl needs your prayers too i can't imagine a broken hip. omg. that was so sad.
='(
Posted by september (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Is there any updates on Mr. Cockerham or the girl that was hurt?
Posted by Negotiator (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'll bet the bottom feeding trial lawyers are lining up for this one.
Posted by onesideortheother (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 11:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
he is still in ICU. his surgery last night lasted 8 hours. family are allowed to see him briefly during scheduled times thru out the day. he is still on a ventilator/life support.
he will have a second surgery of his legs friday.
drs. were finally able to get the bleeding stopped from the artery of the face laceration. he will need a plastic surgeon.
drs. say it will take at least a year for him to recover from some of the injuries.
his road is a long and rough one. many surgeries and lengthy rehab to follow.
Posted by dixiemama (anonymous) on October 10, 2008 at 9:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a time for all of us bickering people to stop & say a prayer for this man. Alot of us can't give blood, but there are so many other things that can be done for this man & also the British man.
Let's show what Natchez & Vidalia are like!
Posted by filleyLA (anonymous) on October 10, 2008 at 11:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My grandchild was on Mr. Cockerhams bus that morning. The only thing I could think about when I received that call not knowing her condition or any of the other children or Mr. Cockerhams was I could care less whose fault it was. Once I saw my granddaughter, I knew God was there. Her only concern was for Mr. Cockerham and the other children. Yes she did have injuries. She went through surgery to repair a broke hip and still was asking about the other children on the bus and Mr. Cockerham. Mr. Cockerhams family came to see her and before we brought her home today, she asked her Mom to take her to see his family. I am very proud of her. Maybe we should look through the childs eyes and not try to lay blame and use some of that energy to pray to God to help everyone through this.
Posted by allgood (anonymous) on October 11, 2008 at 4:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Some of you people on here sound like idiots, and if you get offended, well here's your sign!!!!
Posted by jen_jen1227 (anonymous) on October 13, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
filley LA my daughter rode in the ambulance with your daughter and I too am thankful that the children were okay. I agree with you, it never even crossed my mind whose fault it was, just that everyone was okay. Although it will be a longer road to recovery for some more than others, still we are blessed it wasn't worse than it was. My kids have been very concerned for your daughter and Mr. Cockerham, they ask everyday if I heard how they were. I am glad to hear she is home. We will keep them all in our prayers.
Posted by dixiemama (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
filleyLA
I hope your granddaughter is doing better. It's a very tramantic thing for children this age to have to endure, but they are alot stonger than we old foggies are.
Tell her we all are praying for her speedy recovery!!!
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