revcp, you know my comments to your canoe trip story and the two kids in the water? I realized soon after that last year I had heard a radio piece on CBC radio where two adults spoke of how they were still affected by a school trip at least 20 years ago, where some schoolmates were drowned. I forget the actual details of what happened, but this must have been in the back of my mind when I read your account, as these adults were relaying how much of an impact it had on their lives (specifically guilt), and that was what I remembered clearly from the piece and why your account was rather chilling.
anyway, thought I'd mention it before I forgot.
cheers