Farmingdale Students Critically Injured In Bus Crash In 'Less Critical Care'

FARMINGDALE, NY — The five students who were critically injured in the Farmingdale High School marching band bus crash are recovering and all in "less critical care," the New York State Police Department announced Tuesday.

Police say they are still investigating Thursday's fatal bus crash on Interstate 84 in Wawayanda.

Gina Pellettiere and Beatrice "Bea" Ferrari were killed when the bus carrying the marching band to Greeley, Pennsylvania, for an annual band camp crashed and tumbled down a 50-foot ravine in Orange County.

Pellettiere, 43, Massapequa, was the single mother of a 2-year-old son, Joseph. She was also the band director at Farmingdale High School. Ferrari, 77, of Farmingdale, was a retired teacher who went to band camp as a chaperone. Services were announced for both.

More than 40 people suffered injuries.

"Some of [the students] are still struggling for one reason or another but they are all, at this time, expected to recover," Farmingdale Superintendent Paul Defendini previously said in a letter to the community. "I know that they appreciate all the well wishes you are sending and we can’t wait to welcome them back to school when they are ready to return."

The crash rocked the Farmingdale community, as many students are mourning the losses of Pellettiere and Ferrari.

Fundraisers have been set up for those impacted by the crash, and teenager Mariano Schwartz raised more than $6,600 for the education fund of Pellettiere's son by playing the piano at 317 Main Street, a Farmingdale restaurant.