Long Journey Back

Long Journey Back is a 1978 made-for-TV coming-of-age drama film based on the Gilchrest Road, New York crossing accident in which a Nyack High School bus was struck and sliced down the middle by a train, killing 5 people and injuring more than 40 others. The film stars Stephanie Zimbalist as main character Celia, who struggles with life as an amputee and with brain damage following the accident. Co-stars include Cloris Leachman and Mike Connors. The film also features a live singing of the song "Day by Day" from the musical Godspell. Zimbalist's character, as well as Katy Kurtzman's, were based on real-life sisters Irene and Joan Ferrara, who were severely injured in the accident.