A crash involving two school buses and one big rig sent 72 people to the hospital yesterday.
School Buses Picking Up Students During Crash
The crash happened on Highway 90 in Jackson County, Florida around 7 a.m. According to police, a truck rear ended a stopped school bus that was behind another bus picking up students, sending the first bus crashing into the second. Both buses were carrying students at the time of the crash. Both buses also reportedly had their flashing lights on and the bus picking up students had its stop sign out.
Some Serious Injuries Resulted From Crash
Seventy-two people were admitted to the hospital with injuries after the crash, some serious, but none thought to be life-threatening. The truck driver, 64-year-old Curtis Benefield, was seriously hurt in the crash. At least three students had such severe injuries that they were airlifted to a nearby hospital. Their injuries included broken eye sockets, ankles, legs, and bruised organs.
It is unclear whether alcohol’s a factor, but investigators believe that speed may have caused the crash. Charges are pending.
Police estimate that 300 motorists stopped to give assistance after the crash.
Do you leave your back seats empty (if able?) https://t.co/JMojar1vXK
— GAPT (@protectstudents) March 16, 2016
Sources:
WCTV
WJHG
AL.com
Tallahassee.com
