Farmingdale student on board fatal bus crash recounts harrowing moments

Several prayer services were held at the church to comfort the community in the aftermath of the accident which killed two people and left over a dozen injured.

News 12 Staff

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Sep 24, 2023, 4:30 PM

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Updated 306 days ago

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A 14-year-old freshman at Farmingdale High School who was on board the bus that crashed last week in Orange County recounted to News 12 the tragedy that left two dead and dozens of her friends injured.

Authorities say the bus filled with band members from Farmingdale High School was en route to band camp in Pennsylvania when it careened off the road and tumbled 50 feet down an embankment.

MORE: More than 10 victims injured in bus crash being treated at Westchester Medical Center

Shayra Dionicio was riding in the rear with her bandmates when the accident happened.

"I just remember the bus shaking, and the bus flipped," she said.

Dionicio doesn't know what happened after the crash. All she remembers is waking up in a hospital bed.

"I got a couple of cuts on my back, my right leg, a lot of bruising all over my body, too. Right now, I'm using this neck collar since it's difficult to move around," she said.

MORE: NTSB begins investigating deadly Orange County bus crash

Farmingdale High School band director Gina Pellettiere and former history teacher Beatrice Ferrari were killed in the crash. Pellettiere, 43, was the band director for nearly 20 years and known by the nickname “Miss P” among marching band members.

Visitation hours for Pellettiere are scheduled for Tuesday from 4-8 p.m., Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. and then 7-9 p.m. at the South Chapel Funeral Home in Massapequa Park. Her funeral service will be held at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday at the Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Church.

MORE: 'It was shocking.' Fatal bus crash leaves Farmingdale community shaken

Ferrari, 77, had retired after 30 years as a history teacher at Farmingdale High School but still served as chaperone on school trips.

Her visitation hours are set for Monday and Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. and again from 7-9 p.m. at Mccourt and Trudden Funeral Home in Farmingdale. Her funeral services will begin on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at St. Kilian Parish in Farmingdale.

MORE: Farmingdale H.S. mourns loss of 2 members of school community following bus crash in Orange County