CHATTANOOGA (WATE) – Crowds of people filed in to New Monumental Baptist Church in Chattanooga to remember those killed in a bus crash and pray for children still in the hospital.
The community joined together in a vigil at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday. Many parents brought children with them to pray for their classmates.
Families bringing donations and embracing each other w/ hugs. Vigil will be at New Monumental Baptist Church. @6News pic.twitter.com/ACM3QPu3TF
— Kelly Reinke (@WATEKellyReinke) November 22, 2016
A makeshift memorial was also set up near Talley Road to remember for children killed in the crash. A fund was also set up to help support crash victims.
“This is every first responder’s worst nightmare,” said Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher.
Previous story: At least 6 dead in Chattanooga school bus crash
So touching to see the amount of support and loving thoughts in #Chattanooga for Woodmore Elementary #WATE pic.twitter.com/8pSBMUEbjg
— Laura Halm (@WATELauraHalm) November 22, 2016
So humbling and heartbreaking to see this memorial near Talley Rd in #Chattanooga. A tragedy like this shakes one's heart to the core. #WATE pic.twitter.com/KxVbRWgCZt
— Laura Halm (@WATELauraHalm) November 22, 2016
In the hours after the crash, dozens of people filled blood bank lines to help children impacted in the blood bank. Lines were so long that the blood bank stayed open late and brought in mobile units to help.
Minutes after the news was released that children were killed and injured in a bus crash in Chattanooga, Twitter was filled with those voicing their shock and prayers.
In the hours after the crash, dozens of people filled blood bank lines to help children impacted in the blood bank. Lines were so long that the blood bank stayed open late and brought in mobile units to help.
Governor Bill Haslam issued the following statement on the crash:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with victims of today’s tragic school bus crash in Chattanooga. It’s always a very sad situation when you have a school bus crash with children involved and we will do everything we can to assist the local authorities and the victims’ families.”
Heartbreaking school bus crash in Chattanooga. My thoughts and prayers are with the children, families and first responders.
— Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) November 22, 2016
(2/2) I am absolutely heartbroken over this tragedy and I will pray for the children and their families.
— Chuck Fleischmann (@RepChuck) November 21, 2016
(1/2) My thoughts are with the young victims of the #WoodmoreElementary school bus crash in @ChattanoogaUSA.
— Chuck Fleischmann (@RepChuck) November 21, 2016
“My prayers tonight are with the victims and families of the terrible bus crash in Chattanooga,” said Bishop Richard F. Stika with the Diocese of Knoxville. “I remain in contact with our Catholic priests in Southeast Tennessee and we will make ourselves available to anyone in need.”
Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero chimed in on Twitter:
Our hearts go out to the families, teachers and classmates of children lost or injured in the Chattanooga bus crash. @AndyBerke
— Mayor Rogero (@MayorRogero) November 22, 2016
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett:
Please pray for those families impacted by the elementary school bus crash in #Chattanooga . #noogastrong
— Tre Hargett (@SecTreHargett) November 22, 2016
Police and fire departments also extended their prayers to the family.
Our hearts are w/ children & families of Woodmore. Please keep them in your thoughts & prayers & be vigilant in not sharing unconfirmed info
— City of Chattanooga (@Chattanooga_gov) November 21, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the children, families and responders in Chattanooga in this extremely difficult time.
— Knoxville Fire (@KnoxvilleFire) November 22, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers are with all who are involved and affected by the horrific school bus crash in Chattanooga.
— Knoxville TN Police (@Knoxville_PD) November 22, 2016
Many celebrities tweeted out prayers for the victims and families:
My heart is breaking for the families who have lost children in the #Chattanooga school bus crash. Praying now. #prayforchattanooga
— Natalie Grant (@NatalieGrant) November 22, 2016
Our thoughts/prayers go out to the children & families involved in the #Chattanooga #Tennessee bus accident. #ChattFire
— Bret Michaels (@bretmichaels) November 22, 2016
I am heart broken by the #Chattanooga bus crash that took place yesterday. Please keep my hometown and all the families in your prayers.
— Usher Raymond IV (@Usher) November 22, 2016
Y'all pray for these little kids in this school bus fatality in Chattanooga…..
— Kirk Franklin (@kirkfranklin) November 21, 2016
Sending up Prayers for the families of the children in the Chattanooga bus tragedy.
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) November 22, 2016
So sad for Chattanooga this morning. Hold your babies tight.
— Connie Britton (@conniebritton) November 22, 2016
My heart, my prayers go out to the families and loved ones of those who died today in the horrific school bus crash in #Chattanooga
— Linda Cohn (@lindacohn) November 22, 2016
Former NFL player and UT Chattanooga alum Terrell Owens tweeted:
My heart & condolences goes out to the students & their families along with the 6 children that died in Chattanooga bus crash. God Bless <img src="https://s0.wp.com/wp-content/mu-plugins/wpcom-smileys/twemoji/2/72x72/1f64f.png" alt="