Two people, including a 10th-grade Winter Haven High School student, have died after a school bus carrying 39 people was involved in a multi-vehicle crash in Florida.
The collision happened at about 6.13am on Monday, October 5, on Lucerne Park Road, also known as State Road 544, near the Brookhaven Village community in Winter Haven. The road was closed in both directions while emergency crews and investigators worked at the scene. ([wp.polksheriff.org](https://wp.polksheriff.org/home?utm_source=openai))
Fatal school bus crash on Lucerne Park Road
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said a white Chevrolet Malibu travelling west crossed the centre line and struck the rear wheels of the eastbound bus for reasons that remain unclear.
The impact caused the bus to lose traction and shed one of its tyres before crossing into the opposite lane, where it collided head-on with a silver Jeep. The Jeep caught fire and its driver died. The bus overturned in the crash.
There were 37 Winter Haven High School students on board, along with the bus driver and her nine-year-old daughter. The 10th-grade girl who died was among the passengers, while the identity of the Jeep driver has not been released.
Twenty-two students were taken to hospital on another school bus accompanied by a paramedic, while seven travelled by ambulance, three were airlifted and four were taken by relatives. The bus driver, her daughter and other people involved in the crash were also taken for medical treatment.
Lakeland Regional Health said it received 10 patients linked to the incident. Seven had been treated and released, two remained under assessment and one person was admitted in a critical condition. ([nbcmiami.com](https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/school-bus-crash-in-central-florida-kills-2-including-10th-grade-student-deputies-say/3868448/?utm_source=openai))
Investigation into Florida school bus crash
More than 100 first responders attended the scene. Sheriff Judd described the incident as one of the county’s worst bus tragedies in decades and said the driver of the Malibu was on the way to work, was co-operating with investigators and had not been arrested.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office traffic homicide unit is investigating why the Malibu crossed into oncoming traffic. Authorities have not released the name of the student who died.
Polk County Public Schools superintendent Fred Heid said families had been notified. He added that emergency evacuation drills carried out by pupils had helped prevent further serious injuries.
Lucerne Park Road reopened later on Monday. Winter Haven High School remained open, while the National Transportation Safety Board opened a safety investigation alongside the sheriff’s office.
