School Bus and Box Truck Collide in Columbia: No Injuries Reported

School Bus and Box Truck Collide in Columbia: No Injuries Reported

Columbia, S.C. — In what could have been a serious accident, a school bus and a box truck collided late Thursday afternoon, thankfully resulting in no injuries for anyone involved. The incident unfolded near the intersection of Weston Avenue and Prescott Road, right by J.P. Thomas Elementary School, which is conveniently located off Fairfield Road.

The Incident

According to officials from Richland One School District, the bus was in the process of leaving the school when the accident occurred. Onboard the bus were 24 students who had been part of an after-school program. Responding quickly, emergency personnel evaluated the students right at the scene and determined that everyone was fine. What a relief!

Patrick Ames, who was a passenger in the box truck at the time of the incident, shared his perspective on the close call. “We were just getting off work and coming up this road right here,” Ames explained. “I already saw the bus kind of pulling out. It was going to be a head-on collision until my coworker swerved and got into the grass area. Then we kind of side-swiped.”

A Moment of Concern

After ensuring he and his coworker were not injured, Ames decided to check on the students who were on the bus. He admitted feeling quite anxious during those moments, especially since his younger sister attends the same school. “My little sister goes to this school, so I was making sure she wasn’t on the bus,” he said, illustrating the concern many parents must have felt during the situation.

Parental Reaction

One parent, understandably shocked, commented on how she found out about the accident involving the bus that her daughter usually rides. She claimed that nobody from the school had informed her of the collision. This naturally raises questions about communication in such emergencies.

In light of the parent’s concerns, inquiries were made to the Richland One School District regarding their protocol when a bus carrying students is involved in an accident. In their response, the district stated, “Parents are notified when there is any sort of accident involving one of our buses. Depending on the situation, either the same bus or a different bus will normally transport students home. Parents do have the option to pick their child up at the school or from the accident scene, which is usually in a different location. It just depends on the circumstances.”

Ongoing Investigation

As for the circumstances surrounding the collision, the South Carolina Highway Patrol is actively investigating. The authorities will provide more details as they gather information and assess the situation thoroughly.

In a time when safety is on everyone’s mind, it’s reassuring to know that there were no injuries reported, and the students were cleared to return home. This incident highlights the importance of clear communication from schools and authorities during challenging situations, especially for worried parents. Let’s hope everyone involved continues to stay safe!