A tragic incident unfolded on the first day of school in Ohio as a school bus overturned, resulting in the death of one student and injuries to 23 others. The bus, which did not have seatbelts, was carrying 52 students at the time of the crash in Clark County, approximately 30 miles northeast of Dayton. The accident occurred during an elementary school route, leaving the community in shock and raising concerns about student safety.
According to Tyler Ross of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the incident took place around 8:16 a.m. when a Honda Odyssey traveling east veered into the lane of the school bus, which was heading west. Despite the bus operator’s attempt to maneuver onto the shoulder to avoid the collision, the two vehicles made contact. As a result, the bus veered off the right side of the road and overturned, while the Honda came to a stop on the same side.
Tragically, one student suffered fatal injuries, while another child was critically injured. Both the driver and passenger riding in the Honda Odyssey were also hurt, and they both suffered from non-life-threatening injuries.
The Northwestern Local Schools district, responsible for the elementary school route, expressed deep sorrow over the incident. The lack of seatbelts on the bus has raised concerns among parents and community members, prompting discussions about the importance of implementing safety measures to protect students during their daily commute.
The crash will continue to be under investigation, with authorities working diligently to determine the exact cause and any potential contributing factors.