ECHOES

A child who survived the crash now drives a school bus. He is one of many whose lives unfolded in surprising ways. View chapter 1 A child who survived the crash now drives a school bus. He is one of many whose lives unfolded in surprising ways. SIX DEGREES

School bus driver Duane Harms begins his morning route on Dec. 14, 1961. View chapter 2 School bus driver Duane Harms begins his morning route on Dec. 14, 1961.

A TYPICAL MORNING

Children board the bus and choose seats  a life-or-death decision. View chapter 3 Children board the bus and choose seats  a life-or-death decision. ON THE CUSP

In the nation, in Colorado and in the farming community of Auburn, 1961 was a time of great change. View chapter 4 In the nation, in Colorado and in the farming community of Auburn, 1961 was a time of great change.

63 INCHES

An explosive collision kills 20 children, and grief descends on Auburn. View chapter 5 An explosive collision kills 20 children, and grief descends on Auburn. ALL OUT

The Fords turn to family, faith and horses as they learn how to live without Jimmy, the oldest boy. View chapter 6 The Fords turn to family, faith and horses as they learn how to live without Jimmy, the oldest boy.

MEMORIES

Juanita and Art Larson's memories of their lost son fill them with joy. View chapter 7 Juanita and Art Larson's memories of their lost son fill them with joy. QUESTIONS

Prosecutor Bill Bohlender questions Duane Harms, and a court hearing is held without the bus driver. View chapter 8 Prosecutor Bill Bohlender questions Duane Harms, and a court hearing is held without the bus driver.

TRIAL

Did Duane Harms stop at the crossing? His manslaughter trial tries to answer that question. View chapter 9 Did Duane Harms stop at the crossing? His manslaughter trial tries to answer that question. VERDICT

Though Duane Harms is acquitted of manslaughter, he lives in such fear that he moves his family to California. But most people remember him fondly. View chapter 10 Though Duane Harms is acquitted of manslaughter, he lives in such fear that he moves his family to California. But most people remember him fondly.

REVERBERATIONS

Sisters Colleen Yetter Lackey and LaDean Yetter Long didn't lose any relatives in the crash, but they grieved deeply over lost friends. View chapter 11 Sisters Colleen Yetter Lackey and LaDean Yetter Long didn't lose any relatives in the crash, but they grieved deeply over lost friends. TESTED FAITH

Less than two months after losing Mark and Kathy in the crash, the Brantner family faces another tragedy. View chapter 12 Less than two months after losing Mark and Kathy in the crash, the Brantner family faces another tragedy.

HOPE

Two dark-haired, brown-eyed girls — Luis Lozano's sister and daughter — shape his life and his faith. View chapter 13 Two dark-haired, brown-eyed girls — Luis Lozano's sister and daughter — shape his life and his faith. MELODY

Two men who loved 8-year-old April Melody Freeman view her death through different lenses. View chapter 14 Two men who loved 8-year-old April Melody Freeman view her death through different lenses.

SILENCE

Alice Larson Richardson could not escape reminders of Dec. 14, 1961. View chapter 15 Alice Larson Richardson could not escape reminders of Dec. 14, 1961. DRIVER'S SEAT

Glen Ford finds himself driving a school bus 45 years after surviving the train-bus crash that killed his older brother. View chapter 16 Glen Ford finds himself driving a school bus 45 years after surviving the train-bus crash that killed his older brother.

ALIVE

Duane Harms didn't change his name or kill himself. View chapter 17 Duane Harms didn't change his name or kill himself. LOSING EVERYTHING

The Paxtons and the Heimbucks both lost their only two girls in the crash. View chapter 18 The Paxtons and the Heimbucks both lost their only two girls in the crash.

DEC. 14

Bob Brantner, who lost two siblings in the bus crash and a brother in a car accident two months later, is accused of killing his wife in 1992. View chapter 19 Bob Brantner, who lost two siblings in the bus crash and a brother in a car accident two months later, is accused of killing his wife in 1992. LAST RUN

Engineer Herbert F. Sommers is at the throttle of a train in another deadly crash in Adams County. View chapter 20 Engineer Herbert F. Sommers is at the throttle of a train in another deadly crash in Adams County.

PUSHING ON

Jerry Hembry, the oldest student on the bus, pushes forward through Vietnam, an ugly divorce and a chemical explosion that maims him. View chapter 21 Jerry Hembry, the oldest student on the bus, pushes forward through Vietnam, an ugly divorce and a chemical explosion that maims him. COMPLICATED GRIEF

Vicky Munson Allmer and her brothers survived the bus crash, but later losses in life nearly engulfed her. View chapter 22 Vicky Munson Allmer and her brothers survived the bus crash, but later losses in life nearly engulfed her.

COINCIDENCE?

Bob Brantner goes on trial for the murder of his wife. She died on the anniversary of the bus crash. View chapter 23 Bob Brantner goes on trial for the murder of his wife. She died on the anniversary of the bus crash. IN THE SHADOWS

Bus driver Duane Harms recounts the failing mental health of his wife and the ordeal of committing her to an institution. View chapter 24 Bus driver Duane Harms recounts the failing mental health of his wife and the ordeal of committing her to an institution.

MOVING ON

Sometimes what's most surprising is what people don't go through after a tragedy. View chapter 25 Sometimes what's most surprising is what people don't go through after a tragedy. HEARTBREAK

Jack Mitchell never recovered from the death of his adopted daughter, Sherry, while the girl's mother moved forward but struggled through adversity. View chapter 26 Jack Mitchell never recovered from the death of his adopted daughter, Sherry, while the girl's mother moved forward but struggled through adversity.

NEVER SAY NEVER

Cheryl Brown defied a doctor's prediction that she would never walk again. View chapter 27 Cheryl Brown defied a doctor's prediction that she would never walk again. A CHRISTMAS WISH

Nancy Alles ended up in a body cast after the accident, but she wouldn't give up on being home for Christmas. View chapter 28 Nancy Alles ended up in a body cast after the accident, but she wouldn't give up on being home for Christmas.

NEW LIFE

Four women born after the accident have only stories and mementos of their siblings who died in 1961. View chapter 29 Four women born after the accident have only stories and mementos of their siblings who died in 1961. FILLING THE VOID

A grandson comes to live with the Smocks, giving them the joy of a boy in the house after losing their son in the crash. View chapter 30 A grandson comes to live with the Smocks, giving them the joy of a boy in the house after losing their son in the crash.

THE JUDGE

Carolyn Baxter Tucker credits a judge who sent her to reform school for saving her life in many ways. View chapter 31 Carolyn Baxter Tucker credits a judge who sent her to reform school for saving her life in many ways. PERSPECTIVE

Time changes everything for some people and nothing for others. View chapter 32 Time changes everything for some people and nothing for others.

LEGACY

Those touched by the tragedy move their lives forward in different ways. View chapter 33 Those touched by the tragedy move their lives forward in different ways. EPILOGUE

The story of the bus crash in Greeley has opened a path to healing for many families affected by the tragedy. View Epilogue The story of the bus crash in Greeley has opened a path to healing for many families affected by the tragedy.