And get out fast. Passengers evacuate a bus moments before it swallowed up by a massive hole and swept away by flood waters. The frantic scene caught on camera wednesday, march 25, 2015. Announcer from nbc news this is today with matt lauer and Savannah Guthrie live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. Good morning. Welcome to today on a wednesday morning. Well tell you more about that bus video in a couple minutes. Incredible to see that. Well have more on that. Of course as we come on this morning this is the first full day of searching a remote treacherous crash site from the germanwings plane crash. Thats our top story, the tragic plane crash and the difficult work that is now facing investigators at that site. Nbcs keir simmons made his way to southern france. Good morning. What can you tell us . Reporter matt, good morning. This morning the ceo of the airline confirmed that two americans were on board the flight, he says that families will be given the opportunity to fly over the crash site tomorrow. Meanwhile, there is a hunt for the second black box as they try to find answers to understand how this plane seemed to fall from the sky. The victims of this crash came from around the world, including two americans. This morning three heads of state arrive here, the leaders of germany, spain and france, in the mountains the wreckage is spread over a wide area, the plane has been pulverized one official said. German media says the aircraft was grounded 24 hours before the crash, today experts are examining one of the recovered black boxes, the cockpit voice recorder. Its damaged but may still provide evidence. Claude lives in the village before the crash site. Its behind that mountain. Just behind there. What did you hear . A loud unusual sound, he says, like this. Then nothing. The a320, one of the most popular airliners descended from 38,000 feet in eight minutes on board 150 people, many grermen and spanish. Now rescuers are searching for bodies. The only way to reach the crash site is by walking up the mountain or by helicopter. But this morning, bad weather is hampering that search effort. While in germany a growing memorial for 16 High School Students who were among the passengers. A deepening mystery over what happened to the plane they were there were people from 15 countries on board. One of the questions is why the plane didnt send off a may day signal during eight minutes of deskend. In terms of why it was grounded 24 hours before the crash, apparently there was a problem with the door on the nose but that was cleared for safety. At the same time some say they dont want to tli a320s until this is solved. Keir simmons, thank you. Debra served with the ntsb and now the president and ceo of the National Safety council. Good to see you. Good morning. Weve learned that the cockpit voice recorder has been recovered and authorities are saying it is damaged but it is usable. What kind of information might investigators be able to glean from it . When you hear its damaged, what does that mean to you . You know, theres an external casing that could be damaged. You want to make sure that the information inside is readable and its usable. You are looking at potentially a twohour recording so you should get the entirety of the flight. You can hear the crew talk about you know, takeoff procedures, any maintenance that might have been done, they might be discussing that. But also those critical minutes and seconds leading up to the crash. You want to know whats happening in the cockpit. The cockpit voice recorder is going to be critical. Is and very quickly on that, how quickly do you think they will be able to get that information from it . Generally you can download that information within a span of a few hours if its not damaged. So, that will really be the test. Its early in this investigation, so we dont want to speculate but one of the most perplexing facts seems to be a moment or so after reaching cruising altitude this plane begins a decent. As we understand not fast, not slow, what is described as a controlled descent over eight minutes. What do you make of that and is that something that the pilots would have to initiate . Well, i think the cockpit voice recorder is going to give them insight into that, whether it was initiated by the crew, whether theres conversations about trouble shooting, or whether perhaps they are setting an auto pilot. Its going to be important to understand why they were doing what they did in the cockpit, and hopefully the recorder will give us that information today. In terms of the crash site itself, you see those images you can hardly imagine a more forbidding place for a search and recovery and this has been described as a plane that was pulverized along this mountainside not even accessible by roads. How confident they will be able to literally piece this together . Im absolutely confident that the investigators are going to figure out what happened, but for sure the first days are going to be for those families, for the recovery of their loved ones, and the to make sure they have what they need. Im glad you mentioned the families because that is of foremost importance. Thank you very much. Thank you. Got their hands full. No question about it. Some of the images you look at it and the fact these pieces are so small. You cant even imagine the power of that impact. They have their work cut out. Als got his eye on Severe Weather. Right. Could be our first tornado of march. We havent had one yet. Thats good news, wed like to keep it that way. This is a powerful system. You can get a sense of how powerful. Snow up through green bay, the u. P. Of michigan, some areas may pick up 5 to 8 inches before its over. This is a warm front pushing in. Weve got activity now on top of that jet stream comes up and so were going to look at some Severe Weather developing. Detroit, youre going to look at clouds, showers, maybe snow on the back side of this system. But heres what we are watching. Weve got the risk of Severe Weather right now from texas, oklahoma on into arkansas, and missouri. But stronger risk, fayetteville, joplin, missouri where they are still recovering from deadly tornados of a couple years ago. Were continuing to watch that. Heavy rain with this as well. Were talking some areas picking up to 3 to 5 inches of rain, so we have flood watches thursday morning from Southern Illinois, into northeast oklahoma. This is a very widespread threat that lasts this afternoon into overnight. Those overnight hours are the roughest times for tornados to strike so well continue to track this as the day wears on. Thank you very much. Natalie, shes back with a sad story. So tragic. A san jose, California Police officer shot and killed overnight after responding to a call about a Man Threatening to kill himself. Bob redell from our station in the bay area is there with the latest. Bob, good morning. Reporter good morning. San jose police tell us their hearts are heavy, theres a lot of crying, a lot of tears among those in the department as they mourn the death of officer Michael Johnson, a quun 4year veteran with the department shot and killed last night at an apartment complex a few blocks from where were standing now. San joses mayor says what happened was the citys darkest hour, around 7 00 last night johnson and his fellow officers were responding to report of a 57yearold man who was depressed, intoxicated, in possession of a high powered rifle. As officer johnson approached the Apartment Unit, that suspect, scott dunham, started firing from the second floor, hitting johnson who died on the scene. His colleagues returned fire, there was a standoff overnight. When police entered dunhams apartment this morning they found him dead on the balcony with at least one gunshot wound. Its possible he was dead during the entire standoff. Johnson is the 12th slain in duty in the departments entire history. Thank you, bob. Authorities say it a wisconsin state trooper was also shot and killed during a shootout with a possible bank robbery suspect. It happened tuesday evening in the city of fond du lac. The suspect was also killed in the exchange. The name of the trooper and suspect have not been released. Some u. S. Troops in afghanistan wont be coming home stoons expected. President obama agreed tuesday to slow the u. S. Military pullout from afghanistan at the request of its new government. But the president says the delay wont jeopardize his commitment to end americas longest war before leaving office. The latest plan leaves 9800 troops in place rather than downsizing to 5500 by years end. There is now newly released video showing that incident involving the secret Service Agents reportedly intoxicated when they hit a barricade outside the white house march fourth, there was a bomb threat investigation. The video shows a woman drop off a package outside the white house. More than 30 minutes later government car pulls up in front of the Security Check point and bumps a plastic barricade. The investigation still ongoing in that incident. And frightening moments caught on camera. The road collapses in brazil and passengers were able to escape this bus just in time. You see what happens there, the bus is swallowed up by a massive hole in the road. Its not over. Then the bus was swept away by rushing flood waters. Again, fortunately, no one on the bus was hurt. And nobody was on the bus at the time. Actor will ferrell will be etched among the alltime hollywood greats because the former snl comedian was presented with the star on the walk of fame. But for a brief moment wasnt clear if he was going through with the dedication ceremony. Take a look. It goes without saying that i feel so fortunate, and yet, i cant accept this award. So. Just cover it up. Cover it up for someone else. Love that. Farrell joined by his wife and their three sons during the special ceremony on tuesday. He is so funny. I love him. Said he is going to stop by from 3 to 5 every day and dust the star. It new backtrack but whoever decided to evacuate those people from the bus at that moment, that is a hero. Unbelievable. Unbelievable. Natalie, thank you. Mr. Roker. As we look around whats going on around the rest of the country you can see showers in the pacific northwest, some decent weather throughout florida, temperatures in the mid to upper 80s there, sunshine in new england, but on the chilly side and the heat continues in the southwest in southern california. Hey rich, whats that in your hand . My at t cell phone bill. Verizon bill . Yeah. Thats cool. Nooo. How much are you spending per month . 110 bucks 120 bucks 330 yeeeah. What if sprint could cut your rate plan in half . And give you unlimited talk and text in the u. S. , and match your data. Goodbye verizon. I am done with at t. Bring in your verizon or at t bill, turn in your old phone and well cut your rate plan in half. Switch now and well pay whatever it costs for you to come to sprint. And thats your latest and thats your latest weather. Al, thank you. The eyes of the world will again be on amanda knox this morning, her kalg goes before italys highest court. At issue, will the murder convictions of knox and her companion be upheld by the court . Peter alexander is here watching developments for us. Good morning. Good morning. This is happening as we speak in italy. The judges are hearing arguments from both the prosecution and both defense teams before deciding whether to confirm knox guilty verdict or if the case returns for another appeal. Amanda knoxs former italian boyfriend arrived in court this morning for what could be the final hearing in their infamous murder trials. The panel of judges will decide whether to uphold the guilty verdict for the most recent appeal, or send the trial back to yet another appeal. Knoxs legal team remains confident. Are you hopeful their decision is going to be overturned . Yes. Yes. Were looking for having a conviction overturned. Reporter its a roller coaster ride for the two. Initially found guilty for the 2007 murder of knoxs british roommate meredith kercher. The two were acquitted of the charges, and freed after nearly four years in prison. Knox returned to her hometown of seattle has remained in the united states. But in a stunning reversal last year Italian Appeals Court upheld the original guilty verdict against both. Back in 2013 knox told matt she couldnt imagine ever returning to italy for another appeal. I was already imprisoned as an innocent person in italy and i cant reconcile the choice to go back with that experience. Its not a possibility. It is i was imprisoned as an innocent person and i i just cant relive that. Reporter she and he have maintained their innocence. There is no, nothing inside the murder scene that links us to the murder. Reporter but he did return to italy and had his passport taken after the last guilty verdict. If the conviction stands he is facing a return to prison to again serve his 25 year sentence. His legal team is Holding Nothing back filing additional document for todays hearing trying to distance himself from knox. As for knox, she could face a new battle if the italian authorities move to extradite her, forcing her back to italy to continue her 28 years behind bars. If the Court Upholds this conviction its not certain what happens next. Italy could move to extradite her but that would require the u. S. To send her back and a lot of legal experts that we have spoken to believe its unlikely or wouldnt happen without another significant legal fight. Either way bottom line is amanda knoxs legal limbo cocould extend. Meetpeter, thank you. That chant video that led to the university of oklahoma to shut down a fraternity is back in the headlines. Later today a former member who can be seen participating in that chant is scheduled to speak out for the first time. Nbcs Gabe Gutierrez has more on that. Good morning to you. Reporter matt, good morning. A student is levi petit one of two students no longer on campus after the video went viral. This afternoon he is scheduled to meet with the chair of oklahomas legislative black caucus as well as africanamerican Civic Leaders and pastors. Two weeks after participating in this racist chant, levi petit one of the students a it the center is speaking out. Today he is meeting with a state senator, the chair of oklahomas legislative black caucus, and other members of the Africanamerican Community to apologize. I believe this is a great start. I think it has to happen in order for us to look forward and help this young man move forward. But i think our community has to learn a lot about it as well. Reporter petit and parker rice said they withdrew after the video went public. The University President saying the two created a hostile learning environment that impacted the entire university community. I hope they think long and hard about what they have done. Reporter both were members of sigma alpha epsilon. Rice saying what he did was wrong and reckless. Petits parents apologizing saying their son is not a racist. I dont believe he is a racist. I dont believe he was raised that way. You have to know the difference between a youthful indiscretion and malicious intent. And i just dont believe he had malicious intent. Reporter also later today, ous president is planning to hold what is described as a family meeting with fraternity leaders here on campus to discuss what they have learned since that video became public. Attendance is mandatory. Matt. Gabe, thank you. In the next half hour weve got an interesting story, alarming numbers when it comes to distractions facing teen drivers. Carson, youve been leading this discussion. 58 of traffic accidents for drivers betw of traffic accidents for drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are caused by distractions, you mentioned more on this of a new study coming out. This report focuses primarily on teenagers, lets be honest, they are not the only ones guilty of texting and driving. Were asking you to be honest with us at to are today. Com and answer do you text and drive . Were going to have results and that story coming up in the next half hour. Honesty required on that one. See how that comes out. A woman who once dated robert durst speaks out for the first time and what a building manager saw in his apartment that is described as extremely creepy. Plus, the Angelina Jolie effect. Answers to the three Big Questions that a lot of women have in the wake of her preventive cancer surgery. That, and a lot more. First this is today on nbc. Lot more ahead. But first, this is today on nbc. Great rates for great rides. Geico motorcycle see how much you could save. Take a look at the first lady. A lot talking about her jeopardy appearance and why her hair is different. How a prank became an iconic scene after your local news. 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