LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Eight Jefferson County Public Schools students were injured Tuesday in a crash involving a Jefferson County Public Schools bus and a minivan.
Been a crazy 70 minutes. Here was the bus involved in the crash, # 1277. 17 kids from Indian Trail Elem were on board, 8 were taken to a hospital for what JCPS says were minor injuries. Okolona FD says 3 people in minivan involved were transported with injuries too @WDRBNews https://t.co/URVTBhfQeR pic.twitter.com/drOeNIA5Zc
— Conroy Delouche (@ConroyDelouche) October 11, 2022
The crash happened just after 4 p.m. Tuesday outside Rangeland Elementary School in the Newburg neighborhood. JCPS said the crash involved bus No. 1277, which had 17 students on it from Indian Trail Elementary School.
"My heart sunk when I got this phone call that our students had been involved in a bus accident," JCPS spokeswoman Carolyn Callahan said.
Eight students were taken by EMS to hospitals for treatment: six to Norton Children's Hospital and two to Norton Women's and Children's Hospital.
As the 8 injured were transported to the hospital, the remaining 9 were taken inside the fire station. The EM chief says they kept them occupied and entertained. They drew and got some fire gear. These are a couple of pics during that time, courtesy of JCPS @WDRBNews pic.twitter.com/VxM3spBk7L
— Conroy Delouche (@ConroyDelouche) October 11, 2022
Three people in the minivan were also transported to the hospital, according to the Okolona Fire Protection District.
The other nine children aboard the bus were taken inside the fire station.
"It's a very scary situation. When I got here, they were still on the bus. And they were upset," said Joe Hamilton with the Okolona Fire Department. "Get them into a calm environment. Talk to them give them something to do. Play with them. And make sure all their needs are met and work with the school."
Before parents arrived, first responders let them draw and try on some fire gear. Many walked outside wearing plastic fire hats.
Callahan said the bus driver was shaken up but physically okay.
She said the driver was determined to finish his route. He ended up taking the remaining kids away from the fire station on a different bus to make sure they got home.
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