Authorities to release church bus crash investigation results today

STATESVILLE — Monday, authorities in Tennessee will release results from their investigation into the church bus crash that killed eight people last October.  Six of the victims were from a Statesville church--Front Street Baptist.

"We don't really know what to expect," Wanda Martin said. "I don't know about the word closure, but hopefully there will be some peace."

So far survivors have only been told that the bus blew a tire before it hit an SUV and a tractor-trailer.

The church was returning from a conference in Gatlinburg. Six people who were on the bus didn't make it. Martin said that many of the survivors still have questions.

"I'd like to see the bus because I'm still confused about where I was taken out [of it]," Martin said.

What she hasn't questioned is her faith. And she told Channel 9 that her trust in God and the support of friends and family have helped her heal. The survivors are all recovering at home now.

"The emotional healing has its own schedule," Martin said.

Martin says survivors think about the accident each day.

"It was horrific," Martin said. "We think about it; then it's hard to believe it happened at the same time."

Martin plans to go back to Tennessee in July to serve first responders a meal and visit with doctors and nurses.

"I think for some of us it may take visiting that area again," Martin said.
 
She believes serving those who helped her will help her find closure.  That press conference starts at 11:00 a.m. Monday in Knoxville.

WSOC