Deseret News | Coaches pray for and get a miracle

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Coaches pray for and get a miracle

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Anonymous | 12:53 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Very happy to know there was a happy ending. Very worried about the lack of quality on routine maintenance for a charter bus. My brakes are squeaky and even I had them checked out to see if my car brakes needed to be replaced. What a tortuous ride endured by those on the bus. Are any other action(s) possibly going to be put against the charter bus company?

Traveler | 3:22 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

I am extremely grateful that no one was hurt but wondering why they didn't take the run away truck exit between Lamb's Canyon and Emigration Canyon.

Brad | 6:18 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

We Should all count our blessings and appreciate our God and those things that are precious to us each day. A person never knows what they will face.

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 6:45 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

isn't there an emergency stop lane about halfway down Parleys? If they realized the brakes were gone around Park City why in blazes did they even try coming down Parleys and why didn't they have sense enough to use the emergency stop lane - that's what it's there for.
They risked the lives of everyone on board with the decision to continue down the canyon.

Friends from Rich | 7:06 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Glad you all made it safe. And to the other blogs, can we just be grateful they made it safe instead of wondering who we could sue and second guessing their decisions? Anyway, great job and "Thank God!"

to Anonymous @ 6:45 | 7:34 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

They proceeded down the canyon so that the power of God could be made manifest.

(That is a tongue-in-cheek response, by the way. I don't know why every time something negative happens in Utah but turns out OK, God gets credit for stepping in and saving those involved. If He was to be of assistance here, it seems to me He would have inspired the driver to do as you said - stop before putting lives at risk. Or at least take Travelers suggestion and hit the run-away truck ramp a few miles back.)

Use the emergency | 7:45 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

stop lane, that's why it's there. The decision not to put everyone one the bus plus any other travelers at risk. Since the coach was talking directly to God he should have listened as well.

Anonymous Response | 7:57 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Dear Anonymous (armchair bus driver), there is always a critic who thinks they could have done better. I'm sure that they didn't recognize the brakes were gone prior to decending the canyon otherwise they would have said to themselves, "Brakes are gone but let's see how well we can do dodging cars at high speed on our way down and risk everyones lives, shouldn't be that hard". There is always someone who thinks they could have done it better! Get out of your armchair and be grateful for the fact that they had the coolness of mind not to panic!

bartonjabber | 8:06 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

I am glad that all were found safe at the end of the harrowing ride.
But, why are the arguing about who really "saved" the group? Why all the negative comments? Do we really need more negative things in life?

If all our prayers were answers by God in the way we wanted things to turn out His work would not go HIS way.

Cali Martin | 8:48 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Miracles are never ending.....

LCA MOM | 8:49 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

I think everyone involved is grateful for the Grace of God, the quick reactions of the driver, and the response of the truck driver and coaches to be helpful in a situation that could have been DEADLY. As put forth in other comments...should've, could've, would've! It was a positive outcome and I feel that the big picture is being overlooked. THANK YOU to those who risk their lives every day to save lives!

xscribe | 8:49 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

I'm also tired of hearing it is God who saved us when things work out well, but when they don't, it's, "God works in mysterious ways, and we'll only know why things didn't work out when we die and go to heaven."

It sounds to me that there was a quality bus driver, level-headed adults, and probably circumstances in place that allowed everyone to be safe. It also sounds like the emergency brake was working, which aided in stopping. Kudos to all involved and staying level-headed enough to get through the ordeal in one piece.

More friends from Rich | 9:05 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

To Anonymous at 7:34: I understand where you are coming from. I was there once. Give your life to God and it takes a lot of pressure off yourself. You will enjoy life more. Do not make God a "Utah" thing. Forget about all that negative that happens that makes you thihk God is not there. Just let go and give it to God. I am not preaching at you thinking I am better than you. I gaurantee you I am not. I am just with you in life trying to figure it out one day at a time. Give it to God and Have a good day. Let's all be glad that the football team made it out of that canyon. I am sure their Coaches and staff was doing everything they could think of to save those kids lives.

Anonymous | 9:06 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

I love hearing about people with faith in God. I believe in miracles. I have felt the comfort and direction from God in my life. Glad all are well.

It's a matter of faith | 9:13 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Some people have expressed concern that the safe arrival of the bus is attributed to God. We need to keep in mind that the people who attributed the safe stopping of the bus to God are people who use faith as one important part of their life. Naturally, those people will attribute the good things in their lives to God. That's part of having faith. People who don't believe in God will attribute the good things in their lives as being due to something else. That's fine. We each make our own decision about believing in God or not, and we conduct our lives accordingly. I won't criticize you for concepts upon which you base your life, and I hope you won't criticize me.

Terry | 9:16 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

All glory to God, whether the above agrees or not. God was sitting with that driver listening to prayers of the coaches. I was also on many long, late, cold bus rides from Altamont, and I can only imagine what they were all thinking. Yeah for the team, coaches, bus driver and God!!

Great Job! | 9:19 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

I agree with 'Anonymous Response'. I am sure the bus driver was not aware of the brakes being gone before it was too late to pull over. Give the man credit for negotiating a tough situation and don't bash him for something out of his control.

Xscribe, I am grateful for heaven's help when things work out "well" and I am eventually grateful when things work out different than I initially hoped for. It is almost comical to think of how much worse my life would be if God gave me everything I thought I wanted. He does know what is best for me and believe it or not, He knows what is best for you.

RalphT | 9:21 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Hey xscribe, I guess you have to be there to know. I trust them at their word.

Anonymous | 9:30 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Thank you Heavenly Father!

BN God Lives | 9:39 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

"And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments." This life is not made to be all success, nor to be all failure. We are here to be taught by life's experiences and to gain wisdom. God is so wonderful! If we will follow Him we can gain strength and wisdom in both success and tragedy. Or be can be cynical and bitter and gain neither strength nor wisdom.

Discrediting God | 9:47 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

I find it sad that there are those who discredit God's hand in this ordeal.

Mike | 9:48 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

That's why transmissions are made. They also could have geared down to help slow the bus.

Safe, but . . . | 9:50 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Why hasn't anyone pointed out the alarming fact of the story. The driver was transporting a bus full of high school students ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE! How was this overlooked.

TO: xscibe | 9:59 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

If you don't like hearing how God works in peoples lives you have the choice not to read the article! That is was is so great, we all have the ability to choose.

re: xscribe | 10:12 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

We appreciate the insight provided by people like you who choose to practice homosexuality. Your insight is precisely why we do not want people like you making public policy.

Cindy | 10:14 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

So glad these coaches, young players, and driver are all safe. Thank goodness for alert helpers. Thank God for adults who meek enough to give God the credit when things go well, and trust Him when they don't.

CJM | 11:27 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

It's easy to pick apart the details when we're on the outside looking in. The fact of the matter is no one was injured & everything turned out pretty good considering the circumstances. Everyone has a right to thank WHOMEVER they choose to thank for the outcome that night. I, for one, am glad it wasn't a tragic ending in this situation and that is what's important.

Excellent Story | 11:42 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

I agree - it was a miracle.

This could have ended much worse.

Thank God those young men were safe and those adults kept their wits about them and handled this situation about as clearly as possible.

LCA Mom | 12:01 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

I am very thankful that my son plays for coaches who have faith in God everyday to help them in situations like this. I would rather them have faith in GOD than not having any faith at all! I am very concerned that the driver was driving on a suspended license. How does that happen with a big commerical busing company? I am happy that all ended well. The coaches and driver deserve a big thanks. Even though the season has been a tough one...the coaches and driver won this one! Go EAGlES!!! Bus -0- Eagles -1-

I'm willing to BET... | 12:02 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

xscribe | 8:49 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009
I'm also tired of hearing it is God who saved us when things work out well, but when they don't, it's, "God works in mysterious ways, and we'll only know why things didn't work out when we die and go to heaven."

WHEN THE DAY COMES YOU ARE FACING DEATH...YOU'LL BE THINKING VERY MUCH ABOUT "GOD"....GOOD LUCK TIL THEN "TIRED" BEST OF LUCK...AND BY THE WAY...STAY SAFE!

Glad to be alive | 1:01 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Well for all the great minds who would have done it some what different. The driver could not take the run away ramp because it was blocked by a semi. And he didnt know the brakes were gone until someone (an Angel) pulled beside the bus to inform him. So give it a rest and count your own blessing OR NOT!

Yrag Notyalc | 1:31 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Hey "Mike" - "Transmissions"?????? Your are clueless as to what is taking place here!!! Ever tried to down shift when the vehicle is already moving at a high rate of speed? I didn't think so! Stay in your '68 "Super Bug" and be happy for the ride!

Hey - I'm Willing to Bet..... | 1:41 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Don't we, as Christians, have the responsibility to pray and be patient for our non-believer fellow man? Your comments are not representative of the loving person that Jesus had in mind. You may want to consider your own snarkiness when trying to convince others to turn to God.

Anonymous | 1:43 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Thank the Lord!! What a miracle!! So glad all of our boys and staff are ok!!!

Why? | 1:58 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Why is it that there always seems to be a few people on these boards who just can't resist in raining on peoples parades? Especially when it comes to matters involving some ones faith? Don't you people have any thing better to do? If your life is so pathetic that you feel the need to flame someone on the internet then go to Craigslist Rant and Rave section and you will find plenty of your ilk there. In other words.. Get a life internet warriors!

Thank God there were no injuries or deaths as a result of this mechanical failure. A true miracle indeed.

wondering | 2:47 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Are Charter and Parochial school buses exempt from safety inspections? Why didn't the school maintain these buses? They breached their duty, were negligent... and were LUCKY no one was killed. Lucky is not a synonymn for mircle.

ak | 3:38 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

only in Utah would a range of these remarks come out. skill, training, and faith...and what about the troopers who ticketed the driver? maintaing the buses is an issue, when the contracts come around for renewal

wondering | 4:47 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

This bus didn't belong to the school and the school had no role in making sure the bus was properly maintained. This bus was chartered through Le Bus. It was the team that raised the money through donations to charter the bus so that their long bus ride would be more comfortable. The school isn't at fault. Miracle or not.....I'm so glad everyone is safe.

How does it effect you? | 4:54 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

It doesn't, other than to know that bus, filled with students and coaches, were very fortunate. Can we not thank God for that? "In God we Trust" right?

All the other all-wise, all-knowing comments about brakes, turnoff lanes, suspended licenses, lack of inspections, citations and anti-everything comments.....leave that to the authorities who surely will review it all so it doesn't happen again.

But for crying out loud, a bus, full of students, coaches and the driver all made it alive. Can we not just be happy about that? Past that, does it really effect any of us?

Also Glad 2 B Alive | 4:56 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Everyone is entitled to their viewpoint...I thank God that I'm alive to have one. The driver, my fellow coaches, and the concerned motorist who followed us, all did their parts to contribute to a good outcome...However, without all of the skill the driver (who is a hero) posessed and God's intervention...I believe the result would have been tragic indeed! For those who have faith, keep it! For those who don't I pray you find it! I pray that you all have the same peace and comfort we all had when you are faced with such life threatening circumstances...God Bless you all!!

That | 5:18 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

was an inspiring story. I'm hopeful that the suspended license thing is just a mistake. It's possible that traffic prevented the bus from getting off on the runaway ramp or any other number of reasons.

Re:that | 5:49 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

There was not very much traffic so the bus could have made it to the runaway ramp. I pulled up to the side of the bus to motion the driver. He was definately in deep concentration and was not looking for or at anything except what was in front of him. As I looked into the bus I could see adults sitting with worried looks on their faces. I am not the driver mentioned in the article I did however follow the Bus to the foothill ramp to make sure everything was ok.

I believe in Miracles | 6:06 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

And the power of a human being (or in this case, several human beings!) We are not one without the other.

Great job to the driver who helped by calling the emergency personnel and following the bus down the hill; to the bus driver to drive such a chaotic avenue of twists and turns with such accuracy; to the coaches who kept their cool; and to God.

Yes. Give gratitude where it belongs. Good karma will come back to you, many times over, when you acknowledge the right things in your life.

Lord | 6:08 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

If you give the Lord credit for pulling this off, also give the Lord credit for putting you in this situation. You can't have it both ways.

As a Christian, a devout believer, I am glad that you worked your way out of a very bad situation.

Warning to schools: have the buses checked, on time, regularly, and by people who KNOW what they are doing. Amen.

xscribe | 6:40 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

To the poster above: Not sure where the homosexuality comment came from, but are you saying you want religion making public policy? I'm sure you are, and that's the reason I don't want religious people making public policy. There's no place for religion in politics!

Utah Native | 6:50 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

"only in Utah would a range of these remarks come out...." I live in Northern Virginia and can assure you that people of all faiths who live here give credit to God, and the people who live here come from every place on earth. We also have our share of God-haters as well.

grateful | 7:43 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

to xscribe - look back at history and you will find that religion has always been a part of politics. The question is not whether it is there, but what religion do we listen to?

I'm glad the team is safe. Many of you brought up some good questions and comments. These are things we need to think about more often.

Doug G | 8:00 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

I'm glad they're safe. God, apparently, answers football players' prayers. This afternoon on the radio I heard the world health organisation announcement that there are now more than one BILLION people living in 'life threatening hunger'. God works in mysterious ways.

Re: Re: That | 8:21 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

thanks for the insight. Good job for following them to make sure it was ok. There needs to be more people like you.

Reading Comprehension?? | 8:35 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Apparently several of you commenting on why the driver would start down the canyon knowing there was a problem, missed the part in the article where it says very plainly in the VERY FIRST PARAGRAPH, that the driver noticed he didn't have brakes JUST AFTER REACHING PARLEYS SUMMIT. Pay attention folks - or were you just that eager to come down to the Comments box to share your "opinion?"

I have a nephew who plays for LCA and a good friend who is one of the coaches. I'm glad they made it home safe!!

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