A Florida community is left reeling after an early-morning bus crash killed two people. According to the Associated Press, the accident happened in Winter Haven, Florida. The outlet says the bus was carrying 39 people when it was hit by an oncoming car.
The car appeared to have crossed traffic, where it crashed into the bus. First responders and bystanders were quick to act, and 26 students were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd told reporters that at least one person was in critical condition. “It was a horrible crash,” Judd said during a press conference about the accident. “It was a terrible, tragic morning. We had a beautiful 10th-grade-girl lose her life.”
Judd went on to call it the most “horrific bus tragedy” the region had seen in decades. The driver of the car that initially hit the bus has not been arrested as of the time of publication.
The Bus Was Full of High School Students When it Was Hit
The Associated Press reports that the bus was on its way to Winter Haven High School and was loaded with the high school students, the bus driver, and the driver’s young child when a car crossed over the center line. The unnamed driver of the vehicle was on their way to work when they struck the rear of the bus, causing the bus to lose its rear tire.
That caused the bus to lose control and crash into an oncoming Jeep, which then caught fire.
Four Vehicles Were Involved in the Crash
According to ABC News, four vehicles were involved in the crash: a white Chevy Malibu that initially struck the bus, the bus, the Jeep, and an unidentified vehicle.
Emergency helicopters quickly arrived on scene to airlift some of the more severely injured victims out. Meanwhile, others left in private vehicles or via ambulance. Fortunately, ABC News says most of the victims who were treated at the hospital were released later that same day.
The Crash Remains Under Investigation
While the driver of the white Chevy Malibu hasn’t been arrested and is cooperating with police, ABC News reports that investigators are still collecting information so that they can piece together what caused the crash that ultimately took the life of a 10th grader and the driver of the Jeep, whose identity has yet to be released.
According to Click Orlando, Judd was able to share some information in a statement on Monday, telling reporters that the crash took place around 6:15 a.m. on State Road 544. The road was closed down for a period of time following the crash, but it has since reopened to traffic. There were 39 people on the bus at the time, including the driver’s 9-year-old daughter.
Counselors have been made available to Winter Haven High School students, and classes were scheduled to continue as normal on Monday, according to Click Orlando, which noted that the story was still developing.