WA elementary school bus involved in Pierce County crash, 11 sent to hospital
School bus crash in Tacoma, WA sends 11 students to hospital
Eleven students were taken to the hospital after a school bus carrying more than 30 children crashed at the intersection of 128th Street East and Waller Road in Tacoma on Friday morning.
PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. - A school bus carrying elementary students was involved in a crash in Pierce County on Friday morning.
(FOX 13's AJ Janavel)
What they're saying:
A communications representative with the Franklin Pierce School District previously stated that several students were "transported with minor injuries for precautionary reasons, no serious injuries." FOX 13's AJ Janavel arrived at the scene and learned that 11 children were taken to the hospital – mostly for minor head and neck injuries – and one of them may have serious injuries.
The Frankline Pierce School District released the following statement Friday afternoon:
"Franklin Pierce Schools confirms that a school bus carrying 32 elementary aged students was involved in a traffic accident at 9:30 this morning at the corner of 128th and Waller Road while transporting students to Collins Elementary School. All students and the driver were able to safely exit the bus and were evaluated by first responders at the scene. As a precaution, eleven students were transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. All families were contacted directly. Some students have already been released and have returned to school.
The safety and well-being of students is our top priority. We are grateful to our transportation staff, school team, and first responders for their quick and compassionate response."
(FOX 13's AJ Janavel)
FOX 13 crews learned that a man driving a sedan caused the crash, and the bus had the right of way. Deputies are investigating whether the driver faces charges, but he is in the hospital, so authorities have to wait to interview him.
School officials say the children who were not impacted were picked up by another bus and taken to school. Families of the children impacted have been contacted. All the students were aged kindergarten to 5th grade.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
The Source: Information in this story comes from a communications representative for the Franklin Pierce School District and original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle.
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