On Saturday, the foundation of the statue that is expanding outside of Tom Green Elementary School in Buda was filled with stuffed animals.
Joann Thornton, a local, remarked, "I can't believe it, especially pre-K. It serves as a devastating reminder of a young life lost."
Texas School Bus Crash
The news of a young preschooler's death in another awful occurrence shocked the neighborhood around Tom Green Elementary School.
Unfortunately, the preschooler on board the school bus perished after it struck a concrete truck on Friday in Bastrop County when it was going to Tom Green Elementary. A man driving a third vehicle behind the bus also lost his life in the accident.
Molly Andrews, the community leadership representative for Tom Green, expressed the sentiments shared by many, stating, "No one wants to hear what we had to hear."
The profound impact of such a loss reverberated throughout the tight-knit community, leaving neighbors and school staff reeling from the shock.
As details regarding the tragedy came to hand, it was found that the bus involved in the crash did not come with seatbelts. Despite Texas' mandate that all buses purchased after 2017 come equipped with seatbelts, the bus in question was a 2011 model, which raised concerns about safety.
Just 40 of the 200 buses in the company's fleet, according to Hays CISD, had seatbelts. Although the district stated that it was unclear if the student's outcome would have been different had seatbelts been used, a meeting to discuss expediting the bus replacement process had been arranged.
In response to the tragedy, the community rallied together, with an outpouring of support evident in various forms. Joann Thornton, a local resident, laid flowers at the growing memorial outside the school, symbolizing solidarity and compassion during this difficult time.
A GoFundMe campaign swiftly garnered support, amassing over $20,000 within a day to assist affected families with funeral expenses and unforeseen financial burdens, according to Fox7.
Tom Green Community Unites in Face of Tragedy
Andrews said, considering the community's resilience, "That just kind of goes to show just how amazing this staff, these teachers, these families are."
The united strength of the Tom Green community can be seen by their continuous support and sympathy for those affected by the tragedy.
Tom Green Elementary said on Monday that classes will not be held because of the psychological damage, while also providing trauma treatment services to those in need. Families decided to decorate the school fence as a tribute and way to show support for one another.
Concerns over safety protocols and safeguards surfaced as the accident investigations went on. Despite efforts to raise safety standards, the accident served as a somber reminder of the loss of life and the value of placing safety precautions in school transportation first.
A new GoFundMe campaign was created by a former fourth-grade teacher to raise money for the whole Tom Green community that was affected by the tragedy. The teacher pleaded for assistance, emphasizing the importance of working together to speed up the healing process and ease the financial burden on families and staff, WSBT reported.
Related Article: 2 Dead, 32 Hospitalized After Cement Truck Struck School Bus Carrying 40 Pre-K Students
