For a variety of reasons schools throughout the country, including Florida, rely on buses to transport children to and from their place of learning. Few parents likely spend much time thinking about the possibility of not seeing their child alive again as they watch him or her get on the bus in the morning. Nonetheless, from time-to-time this is the case.
Earlier this week a young boy lost his life when the school bus in which he was an occupant was involved in an accident with a tractor-trailer. According to a media release issued by the Florida Highway Patrol, the 9-year-old boy died at the scene. He was the only fatality.
The accident occurred at the intersection of Okeechobee and Midway Roads. Authorities indicate the collision happened as the bus, which was transporting around 30 students from Frances K. Sweet Elementary School, attempted to make a left turn onto Midway Road from Okeechobee. As it did so, it turned in front of a truck transporting sod that was coming from the opposite direction on Okeechobee.
The crash ensued despite the 24-year-old truck driver’s attempt to avoid the bus. When the tractor-trailer hit the back of the bus the force of impact caused the bus to spin. It also made the truck flip upside down.
At least 15 students as well as the bus driver were hurt in the incident. They were transported to area hospitals for treatment. Though his vehicle flipped, the truck driver was not injured.
Though it appears the accident was the fault of the bus driver, a full investigation into the matter is underway.
Source: ABC Action News, “One dead; at least 15 injured during crash between school bus, semi in St. Lucie County,” Laurie K. Blandford and Keona Gardner, March 27, 2012