DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (ABP) — A group of Florida children with cuts and bruises stood by an overturned bus June 29 watching paramedics try unsuccessfully to save the life of their 6-year-old friend.
The children, from a church-affiliated day-care center in Daytona Beach, were returning from a field trip to Alexander Springs when the 20-year-old driver lost control of the 15-passenger Chevrolet van. The vehicle flipped off the wet highway on Lake County Road 445.
The children reportedly were in their seat belts at the time. However, for unknown reasons, the seats were not firmly attached to the railings on the floor. Eleven children flew to the ceiling headfirst when the van overturned.
Ten children, ages 5 to 7, were injured but not hospitalized. Blake Stamper of Daytona Beach, who was partially ejected from the van, was killed.
The van was from A Child's Place Inc., a non-profit day-care center that leases space from its ministry partner, Central Baptist Church in Daytona Beach. According to church officials, Blake Stamper's family does not belong to the church.
Sonja Phillips, co-pastor of Central Baptist Church, whose own son was on the van, said the center's board of directors took the vans off the road after the accident. Day-care officials said they have been working to raise money to replace the center's three 15-passenger vans with safer buses because the vans can be easily overturned.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warns that 15-passenger vans with 10 or more passengers are three times more likely to turn over than other vans. The agency recommends the driver's seat be limited to experienced drivers and cautions drivers to slow down on wet or icy roads.
According to an insurance-industry publication, 424 people were killed in rollover accidents involving 15-passenger vans between 1990 and 2002.
Parents who went to pick up their children June 29 afternoon found the day-care center swarming with cameras and reporters.
“The children do seem to understand what happened to Blake,” Phillips said. “In fact, our 7-year-old child was on that van as well, and we have talked about what happened and Blake's death.”
She said grief counselors have been available to the children, their parents and day-care staff. A Child's Place, incorporated in 1980, has continued regular operation since the accident. Phillips said attendance has been normal but she doesn't know how it will be affected long-term.
“ACP has a terrific ministry and reputation in this community,” she said. “They are like a family. We are all deeply grieving this tragedy.”
Phillips asked all Baptists for their prayers.
A memorial service in honor of Blake Stamper was held Saturday, July 2, in Central Baptist Church at his family's request.