Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007

Transcript | Bertram Rantin on CNN's Larry King Live

Note: As described by CNN.com, this is excerpted from a 'rush transcript' that might not be in its final form: An excerpt of Larry King's Oct. 29 "Larry King Live" on CNN

KING: Welcome back to more, as we look at this tragedy that occurred in North Carolina.

Joining us is a reporter for "The State" newspaper, Bertram Rantin.

What have you learned, Bert?

What comes to light today?

BERTRAM RANTIN, REPORTER, "THE STATE," COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA: Well, I spent a good part of my day, Larry, on the USC campus. My job was to go out and gauge student reaction and those around the campus. And it was obviously somber -- some more affected than others, like the two students you just heard from. But there was really no place you could go on the USC campus where it wasn't evident that people were feeling this loss, even in some areas where people were trying to resume normal activities. For example, at USC, in the Russell House, students were picking up their USC tickets for the upcoming Florida game. But just around the corner, another group of students were huddled around a TV watching news accounts. So it really was everywhere you went.

[deleted material]

KING: Bertram, have you heard anything with regard to the investigation?

RANTIN: No more than what Jennifer has told you, is that it's believed to be accidental. But we're still waiting to get details, as they will surely come down the road. But the emphasis of our coverage, like at USC, has been focusing on those students and others in the community who are dealing with this right now, because the details will take care of themselves. But at this point, we really don't know much more.

KING: The campus mood pretty bleak?

RANTIN: Absolutely. You walk around campus and you see people -- you don't have the normal smiles on their faces that you see and people are on cell phones and you can kind of pick up on the chatter. And, at the same time, people are doing the best they can just to try to resume -- you know, not resume, but to carry on their normal lives. You see people throwing frisbees in the common area and consoling each other. But, clearly, those who were affected directly and even those who were not affected directly, they're feeling this. But this is a very caring community and people tend to respond to tragedy, even when it's not their own tragedy, to help those who are going through it. So I expect that's what Columbia will do.

END OF EXCERPT

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