Two people, including a Winter Haven High School student, have died after a school bus carrying 39 people was involved in a multi-vehicle crash in Winter Haven, Florida.
The collision happened at about 6.15am on Monday, October 5, on Lucerne Park Road, also known as State Road 544, near Jacaranda Avenue and the Brookhaven Village community.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said a westbound white Chevrolet Malibu crossed the centre line and struck the rear wheels of the eastbound bus. The impact caused the bus to lose traction, shed a tyre and cross into oncoming traffic, where it collided head-on with a silver Jeep.
The Jeep caught fire and its driver was killed. A tenth-grade girl travelling on the bus also died, while the student’s name had not been released.
Students taken to hospital after school bus crash
The bus was carrying 37 Winter Haven High School students, the driver and her nine-year-old daughter. The driver and her daughter were taken to hospital by ambulance.
Twenty-two students were taken to hospital on another school bus accompanied by a paramedic, seven travelled by ambulance, three were airlifted and four were taken by relatives. Other people involved in the crash also sought medical treatment independently.
Patients were taken to hospitals including Winter Haven Hospital, AdventHealth Heart of Florida, Lakeland Regional Health Medical Centre and Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. One person remained in a critical condition, while several others were treated and released.
More than 100 emergency responders attended the scene. Sheriff Judd described the crash as the county’s most horrific bus tragedy in decades, while Polk County Public Schools superintendent Fred Heid said evacuation drills had helped students leave the vehicle.
“To have one fatality is one too many,” Mr Judd said. “And to have one fatality of a beautiful high school girl is just heartbreaking.”
Investigation into fatal Winter Haven crash
The reason the Malibu crossed into the opposing lane remains under investigation. The driver, who was travelling to work, is co-operating with investigators and has not been arrested.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating. Officials said bus video and 911 calls would not be released on Monday, with a further briefing expected on Tuesday morning.
Lucerne Park Road was closed in both directions during the investigation, between Old Lucerne Park Road and the Walmart Distribution Centre. The road reopened shortly before 3pm.
Winter Haven High School remained open on Monday, while families of the students were notified about the crash.
