A horrific car accident involving an Ohio school bus led to the death of one child and more than 20 others injured on the first day of school.
Trooper Tyler Ross of the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported that a driver and 52 children from Northwestern Local Schools were on the bus when it was hit by a minivan at about 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday in the unincorporated community of Lawrenceville.
The driver of the school bus swerved to try to avoid the vehicle but was unsuccessful.
One of the students was ejected from the bus and declared dead at the scene, according to Ross.
There were 23 injuries reported from the incident, and one was considered a serious injury, while the other injuries were not considered life-threatening. Some of the injured students were transported to the hospital by ambulance, but others were transported by their parents.
Northwestern Local Schools released a statement confirming that the deceased child was in elementary school.
“The bus accident this morning claimed the life of one of our elementary students. We will not have classes tomorrow,” read the statement addressed to the “Northwestern Family.”
“We will have grief counselors available for anyone who needs additional support during this tragedy,” the statement continued in part. “Our hearts and prayers go out to the families that have been impacted by this tragedy.”
News video from WCMH-TV showed the bus laying on its side in a grassy area off of Route 41.
The driver of the 2010 Honda Odyssey minivan was later identified as 35-year-old Hermanio Joseph of Springfield. There was also a 37-year-old passenger in the vehicle.
Most of the students treated at hospitals were released.
Here’s a local news report about the tragedy:
Student dead, more than 20 hospitalized after Ohio bus crashwww.youtube.com
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