Watch CBS News

Parents Push Safety Changes 10 Years After Deadly Bus Crash

NEWTON (CBS) - Ten years ago Wednesday, a tour bus crashed, killing four children from Newton. The parents of one of those victims are still fighting to make sure we never see a crash like that again.

Some people believe a few safety changes could have saved lives that day.

WBZ-TV's Paul Burton reports

They say time has a way of healing. Well, it's been 10 years since the four Newton middle school students were killed in a bus crash on a Canadian highway. Thirteen-year-old Steve Glidden was one of the students killed.

"It doesn't get any easier, it just gets more familiar. The pain is still there the grief is still there and loss is still there," said Bill Marsh, Steve's stepdad.

On April 27, 2001, a charted bus carrying 42 members of the Oak Hill Middle School spun out of control and flipped on its side.

"Steve was one of those rare people who thought about others first," said Elaine Alpert, Steve's mom.

Friends and family were set to gather at the middle school Wednesday night to remember the four students killed in horrific bus crash.

Steve's mom and stepdad said they hoped this crash would lead to tighter restrictions to be placed on chartered buses. But, even after 10 years, there's still no change.

"There need to be regulations that have public safety and health in the forefront. Our children are our most important commodity and we are not protecting them," said Alpert. 

Yet, despite the pain, they gathered to remember their loved ones.

"He is with us and happy that we are together because his whole life is about connectedness and being together," said Alpert.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.