July 1, 2011 - UTI Instructor Helps Victims of Bus Wreck in Rural Pennsylvania

When UTI-Exton instructor Rob Venditti saw the school bus a half a mile ahead of him collide with a passenger vehicle and overturn, he immediately knew he had to stop and offer any assistance he could. On Sunday, June 26, Rob, along with his stepson and wife, came up on the scene of an overturned school bus holding several children and adults on Interstate 81 near Chambersburg, Pa. and immediately sprang to action.

“There were no police or rescue vehicles when we arrived,” said Venditti. “We stopped and helped because there were people in need. It was the right thing to do.”

Venditti approached the overturned bus on foot, and while doing his best to survey the scene through the bus windows, offered words of comfort to the occupants, letting them know help was on the way. Making his way down the embankment toward the front of the bus, Venditti was able to remove the driver while his stepson helped passengers out from the back of the bus.

Throughout, Venditti’s wife comforted the children while holding their hands and offering them water. As rescue vehicles arrived, all passengers in the bus were removed, given medical attention and transported to nearby hospitals.

Afterward, Venditti’s wife contacted a pastor associated with Cumberland Valley Christian School, who chartered the bus, to express the family’s concern and well wishes for everyone involved.

“My family and I are very fortunate to have been able to help,” said Venditti. “I am thankful that everyone made it through that terrible wreck.”

According to an Associated Press story published on June 26, shortly after the accident, there were no fatalities and 23 people were injured as a result of the collison.