Vigil Held For Neshaminy Student Critically Injured in Crash
A prayer vigil was held in Penndel Monday night for Boston bus crash victim and Neshaminy High School student Matt Cruz.
Dozens of people descended upon Our Lady of Grace in Penndel for a prayer service held for borough resident and Neshaminy High School sophomore Matt Cruz.
The 16-year-old was seriously hurt and remains in critical condition after the bus he was traveling in with over 40 other students and adult chaperons did not clear a low overpass bridge in Boston, Mass. while headed to Bristol on Saturday night.
Cruz has undergone several surgeries, friends told Patch on Monday morning.
“Our principal told us that when he came out of surgery, either last night or this morning, this morning he could move his feet and his toes,” Sarah Esher, a friend of Cruz, told CBS 3.
Rev. Jim DeGrassa, who lead the service, asked members of the community to offer pray for Cruz, Philly.com said.
Since the crash, which has garnered national attention, local students have been posting messages of support for Cruz on social network Twitter. The post use the hashtag #PrayForMatt.
Students from Harry S. Truman, Bucks County Technical, Neshaminy and several other high schools were on the bus at the time of the crash.
About 10 students returned via bus to the area early Monday morning.
In all, 36 people were hurt, including three with serious injuries and one with a life-threatening injury, authorities said. One of the most seriously injured victims is an unnamed 17-year-old, Massachusetts State Police said in a statement.
The charted tour bus was taking 42 people part of Bristol-based Destined for a Dream Foundation's tour of Harvard University and the surrounding area.
The crash happened Saturday night at 7:34 p.m. when the driver struck the top of a metal and concrete overpass bridge, police said. The bus, which was too low to pass under, had part of it's roof sheared off.
The bus was driven by 66-year-old Philadelphia resident Samuel J. Jackson. He was uninjured and could face charged connected with the crash, police said.
Friends said they plan to set up a fundraiser to help Cruz's family pay for his mounting medical bills.
Since the start of 2013, two Neshaminy High School students have passed away unexpectedly.
Trevor Newman, 16, and Christopher Mongillo,15, were both killed in unrelated incident along the SEPTA line that runs through Middletown.
Twitter was filled with messages posted using the hashtag #StayStrongNeshaminy.
"The Neshaminy High School community has been through a lot recently, former student Emily Duke tweeted. "Despite having graduated, it's always on my mind."
Patch editor Bret Silverberg contributed to this report from Boston.
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Jenny
4:19 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
What a tragic shame, my prayers go out to you & your family, May God Bless You... Because, you deserve it... Surgery sucks, I hope you feel better!
Jenny
4:24 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
P.S. that bus driver should have charges against him all overpasses have signs for the clearance & obviously Mr. Jackson didn't observe or was under the influence... He should have been aware of all his surroundings & the safety of the children, I pray for you all!!
Janet
11:41 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
I am a former Neshamany student and I pray for all of you. You will be in my prayers every night and every day. The
Bus driver should have been paying attention to signs. But shoulda coulda woulda is not the answer just pray for the two that we're severly hurt. Good night for all even the adults that were with you.