School bus rollover in Florida kills 2, including a 10th grade student
In short
A school bus carrying 39 people flipped onto its roof in a multivehicle crash in Winter Haven, Florida, on Monday morning, killing a 10th grade girl and the driver of a Jeep, authorities said. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said an oncoming car crossed the center line and struck the bus, which then hit the Jeep head-on. Five to seven people were taken to hospital with potentially traumatic injuries, and one person remained in critical condition early Monday.
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A school bus carrying 39 people flipped onto its roof during a multivehicle crash in Winter Haven, Florida, on Monday morning, killing two people, including a 10th grade girl, and injuring several others, authorities said. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said at a news conference that the bus was headed to Winter Haven High School when a white Chevy Malibu traveling in the opposite direction crossed the center line for unknown reasons and struck the bus near its rear wheels. The impact ripped a tire off the bus and sent it head-on into an oncoming Jeep, which caught on fire, he said. The person in the Jeep died. Judd said a preliminary review of video footage showed the bus was driving in its own lane. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
The bus was carrying 37 high school students, the bus driver and the driver's daughter, 39 people in all, according to Judd. ABC News and UPI reported the daughter was 9 years old. Judd said three students were airlifted to hospital, 22 were driven there on another bus, four were taken by their families and seven students plus the driver and his daughter went by ambulance. Five to seven trauma alerts were issued, one person remained in critical condition early Monday, and ABC News reported most of those treated were released from hospital on Monday. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
“It was a horrible crash,” Judd said. “It was a terrible, tragic morning. We had a beautiful 10th grade girl lose her life.” He added: “I think this is the most horrific bus tragedy we’ve had in decades, as far back as I can remember.” The sheriff and Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Frederick Heid held their news conference in front of the overturned bus. Heid said students practice drills on how to leave a bus involved in a crash, and that “this event could have been far worse.” CBS News noted that just over a month earlier, on Sept. 3, another Polk County school bus was involved in a crash in Lakeland, where authorities said no students were on the bus and one person had non-life-threatening injuries. [ 4 ]
Polk County Public Schools said in a statement that the crash “claimed the life of a Winter Haven High student and another motorist.” “This is devastating news for WHHS and our community. We are praying for the victims and their families,” the district said. Police shut down Lucerne Park Road in both directions near U.S. Highway 27. [ 5 ]
Accounts differed on how many vehicles were involved. ABC News said another vehicle was involved, bringing the total to four, and UPI described three cars plus the school bus, while AP and CBS described the bus, the Malibu and the Jeep. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The crash killed a student from Winter Haven High School and closed Lucerne Park Road near U.S. Highway 27, disrupting traffic in the area. Polk County Public Schools said the loss was devastating for the school and the community. The sheriff described it as the most horrific bus tragedy in the county in decades, and CBS noted another Polk County school bus was involved in a crash in Lakeland on Sept. 3.
Key facts
- Two people died in the crash: a 10th grade girl on the bus and the driver of a Jeep, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The bus was carrying 39 people — 37 high school students, the bus driver and the driver's daughter — and was headed to Winter Haven High School. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- The crash was reported at about 6:15 a.m. Monday in Winter Haven, Florida. [ 2 , 5 ]
- Judd said a white Chevy Malibu crossed the center line and hit the bus, ripping off a tire and sending the bus head-on into an oncoming Jeep, which caught on fire. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Five to seven trauma alerts were issued and one person remained in critical condition early Monday, Judd said. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Three students were airlifted to hospital and 22 others were driven there on another bus, according to Judd. [ 2 ]
- Police closed Lucerne Park Road in both directions near U.S. Highway 27. [ 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Two people died, including a 10th grade girl on the bus and a person who was in the Jeep. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The bus was carrying 39 people: 37 high school students, the bus driver and the driver's daughter. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- The crash happened on Monday morning in Winter Haven, Florida, and the bus was traveling to Winter Haven High School. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- An oncoming car crossed the center line and struck the bus, which then collided head-on with a Jeep that caught fire. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd briefed reporters and said one person remained in critical condition early Monday. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Why the oncoming car crossed the center line. ABC News reported that Judd said a preliminary review of video footage showed the car drifted over the line for unknown reasons; no outlet gives a cause.
- How many vehicles were involved in total. ABC News said another vehicle was involved, bringing the total to four, and UPI described three cars plus the bus, while AP and CBS described only the bus, the Malibu and the Jeep.
- The exact time of the crash. AP said the bus was traveling shortly after 6 a.m., while ABC News and UPI said the crash was reported at about 6:15 a.m.
- The age of the bus driver's daughter. ABC News and UPI said she was 9 years old; AP and CBS referred to her only as the driver's daughter.
- The identities of the two people who died. No document names the victims.
- Polk County Public Schools said a district bus was involved and that the crash claimed the life of a Winter Haven High student and another motorist. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Crash reported at about 6:15 a.m. EDT in Winter Haven; AP reported the bus had been traveling along a Winter Haven road shortly after 6 a.m. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- AP publishes its first account, citing Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd's news conference. [ 1 ]
- ABC News reports details of how injured students were taken to hospital, citing Judd. [ 2 ]
- CBS News reports Judd's and schools Superintendent Frederick Heid's remarks, delivered in front of the overturned bus. [ 4 ]
- UPI reports the school district's statement and the closure of Lucerne Park Road. [ 5 ]