Bus crash victims and hero soldier tell of rescue from fire, explosions

syracuse.com [NY] ^ | Saturday, July 23, 2011 | Charley Hannagan / The Post-Standard

[brityank]

Bus crash victims and hero soldier tell of rescue from fire, explosions

Syracuse, NY -- William and Sandy Blair worried as they sat in row 8 of the Farr’s Coach Lines Ltd. tour bus on the side of the New York State Thruway early Friday in Junius Ponds.

Driver Rene Bisson had pulled the eastbound tour bus to the side of the road to reset the electronics emission control. The bus was carrying 52 passengers from London, Ontario, on their way for a three-day weekend in New York City.

... ... ...

At about the same time, Army Sgt. Jacob Perkins, 28, was driving his truck westbound. Perkins was stationed at Fort Drum in the First Squadron 89th Calvary Regiment and had served in Iraq. He was beginning a couple of weeks leave with a long drive to his home in Mountain Grove, Mo.

“It was just a big fireball of a crash. There were two vehicles burning on the side of the road and people were outside, but there weren’t any first responders there,” he said.

Perkins pulled his truck over.

“All of a sudden this guy came running. He ran right onto the bus that was fully engulfed in flames,” Michelle said.

[This is an excerpt. Read the whole story.]

[brityank]

A great story of one of our more impressive military men. Also go to “Junius Ponds Fatal” for other stories with added details.

Hope that Army Sgt. Jacob Perkins gets some added recognition from his command.

[UB355]

The EPA should claim responsibility for this event. The emission controls on diesel engines are a joke. I drive a fire engine on a volunteer department. Our engine has the last generation system without the Diesel Exhaust Fluid. On fire equipment the exhaust regeneration cycle can be postponed yet the system request must be acknowledged. On other applications the regeneration request must not only be acknowledged but performed.

[RowdyFFC]

God bless our troops!!!

[mia]

An amazing story of courage and compassion. It says a lot for our US military.

[brityank]

On other applications the regeneration request must not only be acknowledged but performed.

Is that why the bus driver had to pull off the road? If so that is another damning indictment of the Nixon EPA unlawful rules and regs.

[brityank]

A great story about Army Sgt. Jacob Perkins - please pass it along.

[UB355]

It is mentioned in the story that he pulled off to reset his emissions controls. I am making an assumption.

[SaraJohnson]

What a sweet heart.

[Wu]

I’m sure that he will be awarded the Soldiers Medal.

[Wu]

I’m sure that he will be awarded the Soldiers Medal.

[Wu]

I’m sure that he will be awarded the Soldiers Medal.

[wideminded]

The EPA should claim responsibility for this event.

If you read the article it sounds like the bus driver pulled back onto the road into the path of a truck.

[brityank]

Yeah; I didn’t realise that the diesel cat. converter was not a flow-through like those on our cars. Wiki has a good description, and as you surmise is likely the reason for the pull-off. Thanks for the kick to the info.

[NonValueAdded]

Bravo Zulu, Sgt. Perkins and Michelle Blair.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Thanks for posting this brityank!
Hey Kathy, Check out this story!
God Bless Army Sgt. Jacob Perkins!
Well done, Sir!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, brityank, for a great story of one of our finest. Thanks, ms b, for the ping.

Bus Crash Victims and Hero Soldier Tell of Rescue From Fire, Explosions

And most of all....thanks, Sgt Jacob Perkins, First Squadron 89th Cavalry Regiment, 10th Mountain, Fort Drum, for your service to our country both abroad and at home.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[norwaypinesavage]

Sgt. Perkins deserves as much recognition as can be given. I think, though, that he is but one more example of the quality and ability of ALL of the members of the US Armed Forces. Whenever, or where ever you need help, you’re a whole lot better off if someone from the US armed forces is near by.

[Mr. Silverback]

10th Mountain—Climb to Glory!

[Maryhere]

What a beautiful story of compassion and unselfishness shown by the Army Sgt. He demonstated great love for his neighbor without any thought for his own welfare. God bless him.