Cause of Four-Bus Collision Still Being Investigated
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Joe [email protected]
Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department investigators have determined that Cynthia K. Routh, 64, North Webster, bus 30-11, was the lead bus driver, who stopped to allow a student to exit her school bus. David W. Granger, 63, Warsaw, bus 48, was following behind Routh’s bus. Julie K. Close, 47, Syracuse, bus 44, was driving the third bus, directly behind Granger’s school bus. The final and rear bus was driven by John R. Wagoner, 61, North Webster, bus 28. Wagoner’s school bus impacted the rear of the bus driven by Close, which caused the chain reaction of all vehicles, according to a press release this morning.
At 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, central dispatch received a call of a multiple bus accident in the 7400 block of Ind. 13 north of North Webster. First responders found that four Wawasee school buses, carrying more than 100 students from the middle and high school, had collided as the front bus was stopped to drop off a student.
The student, 15-year-old Marcus Gagye, barely made it three feet from his bus, when the accident occurred.
“I heard the bus rolling, I thought it was weird that she’d start moving with me still on the road,” Marcus said. “Then I turned around and saw bus 28 had hit bus 44 and I started backing up thinking, ‘Oh, this is crazy.’”
Marcus’ parents, Brian and Stephanie Gagye, witnessed the accident. Brian responded with neighbors while Stephanie dialed 911.
When EMS arrived, they discovered Wagoner having trouble walking and complaining of pain in his abdomen. Parkview Regional Medical Center officials have advised that Wagoner was out of surgery from last night and is currently listed in stable and fair condition from internal injuries.
North Webster EMS and Fire Department set up a massive triage in the nearby field to evaluate the more than 100 students. Ambulances from North Webster, Syracuse and Multi-Township EMS assembled to transport those injured to both Kosciusko Community Hospital and IU Heath Goshen.
A bus was loaded with students and transported to KCH in Warsaw. According to KCH spokesperson Joy Lohse, 43 students were treated for injuries. As a result, KCH was placed under lock-down mode to ensure the safety and accountability of the students. Four patients were treated at IU Health Goshen, according to a spokesperson.
School officials were on hand both on-scene at the accident and at the hospitals. Non-injured students and those with minor injuries were transported to Wawasee Middle School for evaluation and pick up.
“We’re glad as bad as it appeared that the injuries weren’t as severe as they could have been,” said Dr. Tom Edington, Wawasee Schools superintendent.
“I’m impressed by how many staff members came back to help,” Edington added. “But that’s what I expect given who works here.”
Edington also expressed gratitude to parents who responded on-scene. Wawasee schools will have counselors available today due to the traumatic experience.
Close was reportedly in fair condition with an unspecified leg injury, according to this morning’s release. Officers have not been advised by Wawasee Community School officials if the total number of students injured has risen from the estimate amounts from last night.
While nearly 50 injured were transported initially, Edington had advised that more students may be seeking treatment as the shock wears off and they experience pain from injuries they didn’t initially report.
Kosciusko County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team investigators state that all four buses were southbound on Ind. 13 with students from sixth to 12th grade. Indiana State Police troopers with the Commercial Vehicle Section, along with the Indiana Department of Transportation, are joining in the investigation to determine if the crash was the result of human or mechanical error, but state the final conclusion may take several days, according to a release from the sheriff’s department.
Drug and alcohol testing will be performed on the bus drivers in compliance with commercial driver’s license requirements and procedures.
Authorities advise the total number of injuries could rise throughout the day as parents evaluate their children.
According to a statement on the Wawasee School Corporation website: “Students' possessions were taken off of the buses and will be kept in a secure area and returned to students (today). If your student was involved in the accident, please feel free to contact your student's school (today) if you have additional questions.”
Updated 11:48 a.m. with the names of the drivers involved[[In-content Ad]]
Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department investigators have determined that Cynthia K. Routh, 64, North Webster, bus 30-11, was the lead bus driver, who stopped to allow a student to exit her school bus. David W. Granger, 63, Warsaw, bus 48, was following behind Routh’s bus. Julie K. Close, 47, Syracuse, bus 44, was driving the third bus, directly behind Granger’s school bus. The final and rear bus was driven by John R. Wagoner, 61, North Webster, bus 28. Wagoner’s school bus impacted the rear of the bus driven by Close, which caused the chain reaction of all vehicles, according to a press release this morning.
At 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, central dispatch received a call of a multiple bus accident in the 7400 block of Ind. 13 north of North Webster. First responders found that four Wawasee school buses, carrying more than 100 students from the middle and high school, had collided as the front bus was stopped to drop off a student.
The student, 15-year-old Marcus Gagye, barely made it three feet from his bus, when the accident occurred.
“I heard the bus rolling, I thought it was weird that she’d start moving with me still on the road,” Marcus said. “Then I turned around and saw bus 28 had hit bus 44 and I started backing up thinking, ‘Oh, this is crazy.’”
Marcus’ parents, Brian and Stephanie Gagye, witnessed the accident. Brian responded with neighbors while Stephanie dialed 911.
When EMS arrived, they discovered Wagoner having trouble walking and complaining of pain in his abdomen. Parkview Regional Medical Center officials have advised that Wagoner was out of surgery from last night and is currently listed in stable and fair condition from internal injuries.
North Webster EMS and Fire Department set up a massive triage in the nearby field to evaluate the more than 100 students. Ambulances from North Webster, Syracuse and Multi-Township EMS assembled to transport those injured to both Kosciusko Community Hospital and IU Heath Goshen.
A bus was loaded with students and transported to KCH in Warsaw. According to KCH spokesperson Joy Lohse, 43 students were treated for injuries. As a result, KCH was placed under lock-down mode to ensure the safety and accountability of the students. Four patients were treated at IU Health Goshen, according to a spokesperson.
School officials were on hand both on-scene at the accident and at the hospitals. Non-injured students and those with minor injuries were transported to Wawasee Middle School for evaluation and pick up.
“We’re glad as bad as it appeared that the injuries weren’t as severe as they could have been,” said Dr. Tom Edington, Wawasee Schools superintendent.
“I’m impressed by how many staff members came back to help,” Edington added. “But that’s what I expect given who works here.”
Edington also expressed gratitude to parents who responded on-scene. Wawasee schools will have counselors available today due to the traumatic experience.
Close was reportedly in fair condition with an unspecified leg injury, according to this morning’s release. Officers have not been advised by Wawasee Community School officials if the total number of students injured has risen from the estimate amounts from last night.
While nearly 50 injured were transported initially, Edington had advised that more students may be seeking treatment as the shock wears off and they experience pain from injuries they didn’t initially report.
Kosciusko County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team investigators state that all four buses were southbound on Ind. 13 with students from sixth to 12th grade. Indiana State Police troopers with the Commercial Vehicle Section, along with the Indiana Department of Transportation, are joining in the investigation to determine if the crash was the result of human or mechanical error, but state the final conclusion may take several days, according to a release from the sheriff’s department.
Drug and alcohol testing will be performed on the bus drivers in compliance with commercial driver’s license requirements and procedures.
Authorities advise the total number of injuries could rise throughout the day as parents evaluate their children.
According to a statement on the Wawasee School Corporation website: “Students' possessions were taken off of the buses and will be kept in a secure area and returned to students (today). If your student was involved in the accident, please feel free to contact your student's school (today) if you have additional questions.”
Updated 11:48 a.m. with the names of the drivers involved[[In-content Ad]]
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