Features

North Bay protesters still critical after accident

Tuesday October 29, 2002

 

SAN FRANCISCO — Two anti-war demonstrators from the North Bay remained in critical condition and on life support in San Francisco General Hospital Monday following a tragic accident in the Broadway Tunnel Saturday morning. 

Diana Canning, of Sebastopol and Tony Hernandez, of Marin County, apparently were riding in a converted, double-decker school bus with their heads protruding through a skylight when they were struck by a concrete overhang at the end of the tunnel. They were among about 25 people en route to a demonstration in San Francisco against a possible war with Iraq.  

Peter Fisk, of Camp Meeker in Sonoma County, who also was a passenger in the school bus that had a Volkswagen bus with skylights welded to the top, said hospital officials told him Monday that Canning is stable and in critical condition, and that Hernandez is in critical condition. 

Fisk said Hernandez was more seriously injured and that Canning was conscious after the accident. 

Several children, including Canning's son, remained seated while they were riding with Hernandez and Canning, and one of them asked them to sit down for safety reasons while passing through the tunnel, Fisk said. The children are received counseling Monday, Fisk said. 

The bus pulled over to a market in Chinatown for help when it exited the tunnel, Fisk said. The accident covered several other riders in blood.  

The Sonoma County Center for Peace and Justice chartered at least two buses to take demonstrators to San Francisco, and the double-decker bus was made available by its owner to transport additional passengers, according to Gary Melrose, president of the center's Board of Directors. 

“We grieve for those involved in this tragedy that took place. Our community is concerned and in pain. Our hearts go out to the family and friends affected by this,” Melrose said.