WEST TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Several students and a bus driver were taken to Union Hospital to be checked for injury following a school bus crash in western Vigo County.
The crash occurred Monday afternoon near the area of Bennett Lane and Paris Avenue. The Vigo County Sheriff’s Office is asking residents to avoid the area as they work to clear the scene.
The sheriff’s office said in a post that the school bus driver and five students were taken by ambulance to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.
According to a statement released by the Vigo County School Corporation, the Sugar Creek Fire Department reports the number of students taken to the hospital as four students, along with the bus driver. The school corporation says they were taken to Union Hospital for minor injuries or to be checked by doctors.
Six students were reportedly released to their parents at the scene of the crash, while the remaining students were taken by a second bus to continue their route home.
Shane said the initial bus had to remain in place while crews worked to remove the power lines involved.
The Vigo County School Corporations’ entire statement is below:
On Monday, May 13 the Vigo County School Corporation (VCSC) was notified of a school bus accident on Bennett Place in West Terre Haute. Emergency agencies and VCSC administrators responded to the scene, in which a school bus, transporting students from West Vigo Middle and High School, had struck a utility pole. Due to “live” power lines, students and the bus driver were instructed to stay inside the bus until power was disabled. Once cleared by Duke Energy,
students safely exited the bus, along with the driver, who was transported to Union Hospital. Initial reports indicate the crash happened when the driver lost consciousness.“Hearing ‘bus accident’ and then seeing the first images from the scene, it was shocking and certainly of great concern,” says VCSC Superintendent Dr. Chris Himsel. “Student safety is our top priority, and we’re grateful that at this time all injuries – students and bus driver – are said to be minor. We’re thankful for the teams who responded quickly and for the students who stayed calm, stayed with their bus driver and cooperated with first responders.”
Sugar Creek Fire Department reports four students and the bus driver were taken to Union Hospital for minor injuries or to be further checked by doctors. The other six students were released to their parents after being cleared by Transcare staff on the scene.
“We have to thank the parents and families on the scene this afternoon. It could not have been easy to wait for your child to come off the bus, but everyone was patient, kind and cooperated with emergency personnel. The goal for all involved was to get everyone off the bus safely and that was achieved,” says Kurt Brinegar, VCSC Coordinator of Safety and Security.
Himsel added, “We are appreciative of our West Terre Haute and Vigo County first responders, West Vigo school administrators and Duke Energy. The collective expertise and professionalism ensured a calm and safe outcome.”
Responding agencies in West Terre Haute were Sugar Creek Fire Department, Transcare, Vigo County Sheriff’s Department, West Terre Haute Police and Duke Energy.
