Emergency crews and state police have been called to the scene after a semi truck crashed into a K-12 public school in Lyle, Minnesota, this morning.
Semi strikes school in Lyle. Unknown injuries pic.twitter.com/IkhqCrwDs4
— Eric Johnson (@EricJohnsonADH) January 16, 2018
Truck Involved In Crash Leaves Road, Slams Into School
According to the Mower County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened around 9 a.m. The Minnesota State Patrol says that a semi truck and a car were both headed south when the car tried to make a left turn. The truck was unable to stop in time and rear ended the car, sending it into a ditch. The truck then veered off of Highway 218 and barreled into the school, breaking through a load bearing wall. Witnesses say that the entire cab of the truck was inside the school’s art room after the crash.
Injuries Reported After Truck Crashes Into Lyle School https://t.co/4YdvBosr5r @KROC1340
— KROC-AM (@KROC1340) January 16, 2018
Witness Mark Lonergan told KIMT that after the crash there was “diesel fuel spraying everywhere and kids screaming.”
Lonergan said that he and another truck driver ran to the crash site to help the students: “Me and another semi driver ran into the school to see if we could help or at least get into the school to get the kids out. Luckily, no kids got hurt very badly.”
Four injuries were reported. There were twelve students inside the art room when the crash happened. Two of those students were taken to the hospital. Two of the people in the car that was rear ended were injured as well.
#BREAKING 4 people possibly injured after semi crashes into Lyle school. LPS asking parents to pick kids up at Our Saviors Lutheran Churchhttps://t.co/pveTdmyOHN pic.twitter.com/N969gEOtpK
— ABC 6 News – KAAL TV (@ABC6NEWS) January 16, 2018
The school has been declared uninhabitable because of chemicals that the truck was hauling.
Highway 218 has been closed in both directions.