Jan. 16, 2001--
Real Video shows some of the last pictures of
members of Skydive Salt Lake, as they were having the
time of their lives in Mesquite, Nevada. A little more
than 24 hours later those lives would be over, victims of
a terrible plane crash.
While it's obvious the group was having fun,to watch
them now is chilling. The video tape is from a man who
lives in St. George. He spent last Saturday with the
group learning how to skydive. In fact, it was his first
jump, and these are some the last pictures ever taken of
the group.
As you cam imagine, the news that his new friends had
later died in a plane crash came as a blow.
The
National Transportation Safety Board says it won't be
able to get at the wreckage until early tommorrow
morning. Investigators are waiting for a barge with a
crane to come from the other side of the Great Salt
Lake.
One investigator said this morning the recovery effort
could take a day or three weeks, depending on the
condition and location of the wreckage.
One of Sunday's plane crash victims was a fifth grade
teacher here in Salt Lake City. students are just coming
to grips with the fact the popular teacher won't be
coming back. News Specialist Jill Atwood has more.
Other teachers were really forced to put on a brave
face today, even though they too are devastated over
the loss. The kids, not suprisingly had a lot of questions,
and feelings to explore.
SHE COULD REACH THE HARDEST
STUDENT, SHE COULD TALK TO THE
HARDEST PARENT, SHE COULD GET TO
THE CORE OF THE ISSUE AND SPEAK SO
PROFOUNDLY ABOUT IT YOU WOULD BE
SWAYED.
Today the flag flies at half staff at Rosecrest
Elementary in memory of Lisa Ellis. Outside her
classroom..what else...a picture of skydivers in
formation, entitled teamwork, a motto she often used in
her teaching as well.
Inside her classroom, and other classrooms in the
school, kids are encouraged to talk about their feelings.
Dorthea Gray/Rosecrest Elementary
Principal: IT'S NOT JUST A FIRST
HOUR MOMENT. IT COULD BE THE
STUDENT WHO IS VERY CALM AT FIRST
PART COULD BE THE ONE WHO FALLS
APART A LITTLE LATER.
Principal Dorthea Gray says grief counselors were on
hand today to guide teachers through this delicate
situation--what to say, how to say it. She says she and
her staff are staying strong for the students' sake, but
admit they may fall apart once the school day is done.
Dorthea Gray/Rosecrest Principal: I
KNOW THAT THEY WOULD HAVE PREFERRED
TO STAY HOME, TO HAVE SOME GRIEF
TIME OF THEIR OWN. BUT THEY ALL
SHOWED UP, AND WERE HERE TO DO A
FORM OF TEACHING THAT'S NOT IN THE
CURRICULUM, AND THAT'S REAL
LIFE..TEACHING KIDS ABOUT TRAGEDY
AND HOW TO DEAL WITH IT.
Mrs. Gray went on to say that the children are actually
doing quite well. She says they are very resilient, and
are actually helping each other through it.
