North Band Teacher Helps Avert Tragedy

On Thursday March 28, heroic actions were honored at the North High band’s spring band concert at Logan College after band director Mark Linn and color guard sponsor Laura Glenn worked together to bring a runaway charter bus to a halt during a band and orchestra trip to the Bahamas.

On the drive down to Universal Studios, Orlando at the start of spring break, one of the bus drivers lost consciousness. The bus, carrying 40 of the 129 students on the trip, began to swerve hitting a guardrail and several traffic cones.  Since it was early in the morning, however, most of the passengers were asleep when the bus first started hitting obstructions.

“When the bus first hit the rail I was disoriented because I had just woken up,” said senior Sarah Horne,  “After that, I was worried about my friend because she had hit her head and didn’t look like she could support herself if we hit any more bumps.”

The commotion woke Glenn first who alerted Linn that the driver was unconscious.

“The driver was slumped over that steering wheel and at first I thought he was asleep so I tried to shake him awake,” Linn said, “but I soon realized that the driver was not asleep but non-responsive.”

Thankfully, Linn was able to take control of the wheel and pull the driver’s foot off the accelerator, bringing the bus to a stop. Since he had been asleep before the incident, he didn’t have his glasses, but was able to stop the bus with the help of Glenn giving instructions and telling him which way to go.

“I was relieved [when I found out that Linn and Glenn stopped the bus], but I was not really surprised,” Horne said, “Mr. Linn and Mrs. Glenn are the kind of people you always want on your side. They are two of the teachers I would do anything for and they are always on your side.”

There was only one minor injury reported and all of the students and chaperones on the trip were able to continue without any further issues. The band and orchestra attended a cruise to the Bahamas where they competed in a music festival on the ship. All ensembles who performed received a Superior Rating.

Since the accident, several students and parents have praised Linn as being a hero and even held a special recognition at the band concert last week. Principal Dr. Jenny Marquart along with parents and students all spoke to thank Linn and Glenn for their heroism.

“I think the both of them deserved recognition because without them working as a team, who knows what could have happened,” Horne said.

Despite the praise and recognition, Linn insists that he is no hero.

“I love my kids and I don’t want anything to happen to them,” Linn said, “I think anyone else would have done what I’ve done to save kids.”

Written by Jo Treadway – Design Editor