Eight people, including a 2-year-old boy, were injured in a collision involving buses and an SUV in Florida. The incident took place as the vehicles were returning from a band competition, resulting in a chain reaction that led to the injuries of six high school students and the young child being airlifted to the hospital.
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On the evening of October 11, around 150 students from Fort Pierce Central High School were on four buses traveling through Manatee County when the crash occurred. Three of the buses had stopped in a line on State Road 70 when a Ford SUV struck the last bus, triggering a series of collisions between the buses. The SUV caught fire following the impact.
The six injured students were swiftly taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The 32-year-old SUV driver from Tampa also sustained minor injuries and was hospitalized. The 2-year-old boy, who was a passenger in the SUV, was airlifted in critical condition to receive medical attention.
As of October 12, the St. Lucie County School District revealed that five out of the six injured students had been discharged from the hospital, with one remaining under observation. The district is yet to provide a statement in response to queries from PEOPLE regarding the incident.
Following the collision, one of the students, Ethan Byrnes, contacted his father to inform him of the accident. Ethan’s father, Edward Byrnes, mentioned that while his son refused emergency care initially, he later experienced some stiffness in his neck and is now recovering. Edward expressed concerns for the injured individuals, especially the critically injured 2-year-old who had to be airlifted.
The School District of Manatee County extended support by offering two buses to transport the students back to Fort Pierce, where anxious family members awaited their return. Superintendent Dr. Jon R. Prince of the St. Lucie County School District expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort, acknowledging the swift response and assistance from various stakeholders to ensure the students’ safety and well-being.
An investigation into the collision is ongoing to determine the circumstances leading to the accident. As authorities work to piece together the sequence of events, the community sends thoughts and prayers to those affected by the unfortunate incident. The seamless coordination between school districts, emergency responders, and families highlights the importance of unity in times of crisis.