A student is removed from the bus following a wreck Tuesday afternoon.
Children OK after bus wreck; one adult still in hospital
Two adults and three students in Jackson County were transported to area hospitals after a school bus reportedly rolled over on Tuesday afternoon. The injuries were not life-threatening and all were released by Wednesday except for one of the adults.
The Jackson County School System bus was traveling north on Marlow Road just south of its intersection with Deadwyler Road in the Plainview area when it crossed the centerline into a shallow ditch.
Initial reports said the bus flipped over and landed on its wheels, but the Georgia State Patrol believes the bus would have sustained more damage in that scenario, according to Shannon Adams, superintendent of the Jackson County School System.
Instead, troopers believe the bus hit an embankment, which prevented it from flipping over, Adams said. However, one witness at the scene said the bus appeared to flip before coming to rest on its wheels.
“Oh my, judging by the appearance of the bus — there is every reason to believe it could have been much, much worse,” he said.
Of the five patients taken to area hospitals, all but one adult was discharged by Wednesday morning, Adams said.
An aide on the special education bus was admitted at an area hospital for a cracked rib and possible spleen damage, Adams said.
Of the students — including one who was in a wheelchair — the most serious injury was a minor concussion and stitches in the head, Adams said. The other students had minor scratches and bruises. The students attend Kings Bridge Middle School.
The bus driver — who has been employed with the Jackson County School System for almost two years — was released from a hospital, but may require additional treatment for minor back trauma, Adams said.
Heavy rains in the area had flooded nearby fields and one bridge nearby was said to be underwater. The shoulders of Marlow Road were muddy and soft at the time of the wreck.
Since Dixon Bridge Road was closed due to flooding, the driver took an alternate route on Marlow Road. The driver was unfamiliar with the roadway, Adams said.
“It was a serious accident,” he said. “School buses are about as sturdy of any vehicle on the road and it suffered significant damage.”
Plainview Fire and Rescue units responded to the scene, along with Jackson County EMS, Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputies, the Georgia State Patrol and neighbors who lived near the accident.
Some of the injured were removed from the bus through side windows. Three ambulances transported the five people from the scene.
Adams thanked the first responding units from the Plainview Fire Department for helping the patients.
Initial reports said the bus flipped over and landed on its wheels, but the Georgia State Patrol believes the bus would have sustained more damage in that scenario, according to Shannon Adams, superintendent of the Jackson County School System.
Instead, troopers believe the bus hit an embankment, which prevented it from flipping over, Adams said. However, one witness at the scene said the bus appeared to flip before coming to rest on its wheels.
“Oh my, judging by the appearance of the bus — there is every reason to believe it could have been much, much worse,” he said.
Of the five patients taken to area hospitals, all but one adult was discharged by Wednesday morning, Adams said.
An aide on the special education bus was admitted at an area hospital for a cracked rib and possible spleen damage, Adams said.
Of the students — including one who was in a wheelchair — the most serious injury was a minor concussion and stitches in the head, Adams said. The other students had minor scratches and bruises. The students attend Kings Bridge Middle School.
The bus driver — who has been employed with the Jackson County School System for almost two years — was released from a hospital, but may require additional treatment for minor back trauma, Adams said.
Heavy rains in the area had flooded nearby fields and one bridge nearby was said to be underwater. The shoulders of Marlow Road were muddy and soft at the time of the wreck.
Since Dixon Bridge Road was closed due to flooding, the driver took an alternate route on Marlow Road. The driver was unfamiliar with the roadway, Adams said.
“It was a serious accident,” he said. “School buses are about as sturdy of any vehicle on the road and it suffered significant damage.”
Plainview Fire and Rescue units responded to the scene, along with Jackson County EMS, Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputies, the Georgia State Patrol and neighbors who lived near the accident.
Some of the injured were removed from the bus through side windows. Three ambulances transported the five people from the scene.
Adams thanked the first responding units from the Plainview Fire Department for helping the patients.
Defined tags for this entry: wreck
a stand for bus drivers. We have one of the hardest jobs
in the school system. There are times when we hear stories
so sad that we cry, we break-up fights, deal with unruly
kids and give advise when asked. I don't do it for the
pay, insurance or to just have something to do. I do
it because somewhere along the line I might make a
difference in a childs life. I take my job very seriously.
And I treat my kids on my bus with respect regardless of how they
act!! Therefore, my kids on my bus respect me.
To those of you who have chosen to "bash" bus drivers,
I'm sure that Jackson County and surrounding counties
are accepting applications for bus drivers, go apply!