Coyle receives award for heroism

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Richard "Dick" Coyle vividly remembers the unusual accident last fall near Elysian that led to him winning a national award.

Coyle was driving a Lake Crystal Coaches bus with 21 senior ladies from Faribault to Mankato, Oct. 6, 2000, on State Highway 60 when he approached Elysian at 3 p.m.

A large doe jumped from the lake side of the road, into the oncoming traffic lane where it was struck by a car approaching the bus.

The impact tossed the deer high into the air, through the front windshields of the bus and into the front seats.

Amid flying glass and parts of the bloody deer that landed on top of a several women, Coyle brought the bus to a safe stop.

He called the bus line on his two-way radio, stood by and helped local fire department and rescue squad workers assess the accident and evacuate injured passengers.

Another bus was driven to the accident scene and uninjured passengers rode to Mankato.

Two passengers were seriously injured. Three others had minor injuries.

"I was slowing down as I came into town," Coyle said. "Two ladies in the front seat were struck first. Then parts of the deer hit ladies in the second seat."

Although Coyle was not injured, he was shocked by the impact. Hours after the accident, he was still removing small pieces of glass from his clothes and hair.

Parts of the deer were found impaled in the bus interior.

"I thought it was really unusual that a deer would be in that area, by a lake, at that time of day," Coyle said.

For his efforts, Coyle earned the United Motorcoach Association Heroism Award for Excellence Above and Beyond (the call of duty).

Coyle was cited for his "initiative, resourcefulness and action."

"Your efforts reflect positively on the entire motor coach industry and you are greatly appreciated," read the award.

Coyle was noted for his actions after the accident by Dennis Heinze of Lake Crystal Coaches of Madison Lake.

"We feel Dick Coyle is very deserving of the award by keeping his head about himself," Heinze said. "We are positive that he prevented additional injuries, possible deaths, and minimized physical damage to the motor coach.

"The accident occurred where there are steep embankments on both sides of the highway with open water on one side and swampland on the other side," read Heize's letter to the United Motorcoach Association.

Heinze said Lake Crystal Coaches received many phone calls and notes from ladies riding the bus the day of the accident.

"They all praised Dick for his driving and ability to safely bring the bus to a stop during all the commotion that resulted from the deer exploding into the vehicle," Heinze said. "They all regard him as a hero or guardian angel for saving their lives."

Coyle has driven commercial vehicles since he graduated from high school in 1956. He drove for 7-Up bottling and Frito Lay in St. Paul in his younger days.

He has driven school buses and motor coaches since 1986 when he began working for New Ulm Bus Lines.

The accident was his first personal injury accident.

Coyle regularly drives buses to large cities in the upper Midwest.

Branson, Mo. is his favorite destination.

Some of his other favorite trips were driving the New Ulm American Legion baseball team to tournaments in Sturgis, S.D. and Miles City, Mont.

"I love to drive," Coyle said. "It's an interesting job and you meet a lot of nice people. I see a lot of things I wouldn't see if I wasn't driving."

Coyle also helps his wife Joan with their business, New Ulm Sewing Center, which is located downtown.