Updated: 5 people, including 4 children, seriously hurt in Eastern Ky. school bus crash
Five people, including four children, suffered serious injuries as a result of a bus crash in Eastern Kentucky Monday morning, according to Magoffin County Judge-Executive Matt Wireman.
The accident happened at approximately 7:30 a.m. Monday on Route 40, according to Wireman. The bus was traveling westbound when it exited the road and went over an embankment.
Trooper Michael Coleman with Kentucky State Police confirmed during a Monday afternoon press conference that there were 18 students and the driver on board. Injuries ranged from minor to critical, according to state police.
Four students and the bus driver were in serious or critical condition, Wireman told the Herald-Leader. Officials didn’t provide an update on the status of the injuries during a Monday afternoon press conference.
“As of the time of this statement, there are no reported fatalities, but the students and driver have varying degrees of injuries,” the Magoffin County School District said in a statement. “They have been transported by ambulance or helicopter to regional hospitals. The district would like to thank everyone that extended a helping hand at the scene of the accident.
“Please keep all families in your thoughts and prayers.”
Three people — two students and the bus driver — had to be flown from the scene, according to Wireman.
One injured person was flown to Pikeville Medical Center, said Magoffin County Emergency Management Director Robert Prater. Two more were driven via ambulance to the Appalachian Regional Healthcare facility in Paintsville and were flown to another hospital from there.
The ages of the kids on board varied from elementary, middle and high school ages, according to Coleman. All were students within the Magoffin County School District.
The bus driver was a female who had worked with the school district for a few years, according to Superintendent Christopher Meadows. Meadows did not provide the identity of the bus driver.
A student involved in the crash was the one who called 911. Some kids were able to walk back up the hill to the road despite their injuries while some had to be pulled up in a basket, according to the Magoffin County fire marshal.
“This is not something you ever want to deal with as a school personnel,” Meadows said. “Those kids come to us and they become our kids. To see that and deal with that, it’s a part of business, so we just want to reiterate that our thoughts and prayers are with them.”
Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed the accident in a tweet, saying, “Kentucky, we have some tough news. There has been a serious bus accident in Magoffin County involving children.”
Beshear said Kentucky State Police is on scene and “we are responding swiftly.”
State police were assisted by personnel from State police Post 9, Post 13, Magoffin County Volunteer Fire Department, Morgan County Volunteer Fire Department, Johnson County Volunteer Fire Department, Floyd County Volunteer Fire Department, Emergent Ambulance Service, Lifeguard Ambulance Service, Jan Care Ambulance Service, Netcare Ambulance Service and Air Evac.
Coleman said the road will be shut down for several more hours while collision reconstruction experts investigate the scene.
The Salyersville Independent in Magoffin County reported that the bus driver was partially stuck under the bus after being ejected from the vehicle when the crash happened.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
This story was originally published November 14, 2022 at 9:40 AM.
