TUSCARAWAS COUNTY, Ohio — “The outpouring of love and support from across this nation is overwhelming, and we are in awe of the kindness, compassion and care shown to us in our difficult days."
That's part of the message from Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools Superintendent Dr. Derek Varansky as he offered an update after the central Ohio bus crash that claimed the lives of three Tusky district students and three adults earlier this week on I-70.
“A great day quickly became a terrible day," Dr. Varansky said of Tuesday's crash. "Six wonderful people who meant so much to our district left for what should have been an experience of a lifetime – and they never returned. Parents have a void where their child should be, and families are forever changed. A classroom remains without a teacher, and student desks will remain empty. Students and staff who survived, along with their families, live with the nightmare of this tragedy. We all feel this loss deeply and no one has escaped its effects.”
You can watch his full statement in the video below:
He thanked a series of people, including three who were on the bus and “used their training to quickly take action and evacuate that bus and to get students to safety.”
“Make no doubt, they saved lives," he said. "While they don’t want to be given the title, they truly are heroes.”
He also thanked Gov. DeWine, emergency personnel, medical teams, authorities, Red Cross and many others who offered their support.
“To our community pastors, churches, businesses, organizations and hundreds of school districts across this state and the nation who have shown up, they've loved us, donated money, sent supplies, ordered us food and they keep us in prayer, so thank you all.”
He also addressed the families who lost loved ones in the crash.
"I can’t seem to find words to express the magnitude of the loss that we feel and the void our district will have in their absence," he said. "JD, Wyatt, Katelyn, Shannon, Kristy and Dave, they’ll never be forgotten and their legacy will live on here at Tusky Valley. Our district family grieves with you, and our lives are forever changed. My life will be forever changed. I’ve known some of these families my entire life and our students throughout their entire Tusky Valley journey. Know that I am so very sorry.”
RELATED: Fund set up to support victims of deadly Ohio bus crash from Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools
At the time of the posting the video, Dr. Varansky also noted that only one student of those were injured in the crash remains in the hospital.
The district, meanwhile, will continue to offer support and mental health services "for as long as needed."
He also said the district will be extending Thanksgiving break for all students "to honor those who have lost their lives and to provide time for our students and staff to grieve." As a result, Thanksgiving break will begin on Monday, Nov. 20, with students set to return on Tuesday, Nov. 28.
“The outpouring of love and support from across this nation is overwhelming, and we are in awe of the kindness, compassion and care shown to us in our difficult days. But specifically, I am so thankful to our local community for showing up and meeting our every need and loving our Tusky Valley students and staff.”
PREVIOUS COVERAGE OF THIS STORY FROM 3NEWS...
- 'You can’t explain those miracles': First responder in Ohio bus crash recounts discovering his father was one of those involved
- NTSB at scene of deadly Ohio bus crash: See the timeline of the investigation
- 'Pray for Tusky Valley': Remembering the victims of the fatal Ohio bus crash
- 'Our hearts are broken': Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools grieves loss of students, chaperones in I-70 crash
- UPDATES | 6 die in Ohio bus crash on I-70: Victims identified, including 3 students
- Daughter of bus driver involved in Central Ohio crash that killed 6 speaks to 3News' Lydia Esparra
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