Boy killed, four injured in crash
BY SARAH GROSSMAN THE LEADER

HOWARD — A Bath family suffered a terrible tragedy just before the holidays when their son was killed, and three other children and their daughter’s boyfriend were injured in an auto accident Friday evening, Dec. 22.

Four members of the Hann family were traveling west on Wheeler Road in the town of Howard at approximately 7:30 p.m. Friday when the vehicle they were riding in lost control, went into a ditch, did a cartwheel, and landed on its side, according to New York State Police Inv. Rick Kemp.

Zachary Hann, 14, died in the crash. His family lives on Chamberlain Road in Bath.

The driver of the vehicle was William P. McMahon, of Richlands, North Carolina, who was driving the vehicle on a steep portion of the road during a rain storm and failed to negotiate a curve, Kemp said.

McMahon suffered injuries and was hospitalized.

The other passengers in the vehicle were Hann’s three siblings, including his twin brother.

Caleb Hann, 14, Zachary’s twin, was sent to Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira with abrasions. He should be released soon from the hospital, Kemp said.

The twins’ older brother and sister, Jacob Hann, 16, and Megan Hann, 22, who lives in Richlands, North Carolina, were more seriously injured in the accident, Kemp said.

Jacob Hann was in critical condition at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pennsylvania, with facial and head injuries, and Megan Hann was listed in serious condition at Arnot Ogden with a fractured neck.

“There was no alcohol or drug involvement,” said Kemp. “This was just a terrible accident.”

Kemp said the police will wait until McMahon is released from the hospital to speak to him but he will likely receive traffic tickets.

Zachary Hann, who attended Haverling Middle School, is the second student in the Bath Central School District to die this month.

Michael Buffa, 15, a student at Haverling High School, died Dec. 8 unexpectedly due to unknown causes.

Friends of the students posted bulletins Saturday on MySpace.com discussing the closeness in time of the two tragedies.

The comments generally expressed sadness over the tragedies and wishes of comfort to the Hann family.

One comment said Zach “will always be remembered in these halls of Haverling for his humor and thoughtfulness.”

Marion Tunney, superintendent of the Bath Central School District, said a crisis team will be meeting with students when they get back from the holiday break. Also, administrators are planning ways to work with the students and teachers when they get back to help them cope, Tunney said.

She said thankfully students are with their families now to help them deal with Hann’s death. But the holidays also mean the schools are not open to provide a support network.

“However, when the students come back, we will be there for them,” she said.