Official Word From the PG

Elizabeth Forward band director out of hospital

Friday, May 04, 2007

By Jim McKinnon, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Elizabeth Forward band director David Cornelius is on his way home.

Mr. Cornelius was among those injured early yesterday when a bus crashed with members of the band aboard on their way to a competition in Wildwood, N.J.

The bus crashed into the rear of a tractor-trailer that was moving into eastbound traffic on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Chester County.

Timothy Berkshire, the bus driver from Masontown, remains hospitalized in serous condition.

Most of the other passengers were members of the Elizabeth Forward High School indoor percussion group.

A few students suffered injuries that required treatment, such as a broken nose and a broken arm. Most of the rest had minor injuries.

All of the percussionists were given the day off from school today, spokeswoman Jane Milner said.

Investigators yesterday inspected the tractor-trailer and found no major mechanical problems, state police said.

The bus was to be inspected today.

Results of the two inspections will be released by Monday, police said.

Mr. Cornelius was discharged this morning from a hospital.


More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.