School Bus Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

11-Year-Old Student Dies After Falling Under School Bus

Recently, an Iowa student died after falling under a school bus, while 14 Oklahoma students were injured days later when a semi-truck rear-ended their bus.

March 3, 2026
A school bus graphic with text reading "Iowa Student Killed, 14 Injured in Oklahoma Bus Crash."

The student attended Davenport Community School District in Iowa; the investigation is ongoing.

Credit:

School Bus Fleet

3 min to read


Reports from Davenport police in Iowa show that an elementary school student has died after falling under and being struck by a school bus.

According to KWQC, at 7:17 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, first responders received reports of a crash in the 1100 block of East 37th Street involving a child who “slipped and fell under the bus.”

Ad Loading...

The child was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries but later died, police said. The 11-year-old was a student at Jefferson Elementary School, per WQAD-TV.

One local news report linked to a GoFundMe created by the community, in which the student is identified as Omar Cole. His identity was not confirmed by local authorities yet.

“Our hearts are with the student’s family and loved ones as they navigate this unimaginable tragedy,” the Davenport Community School District said in a statement. “This loss is felt across our entire school community.”

The district also said it activated its crisis response team to support students and staff.

“Our focus in the days ahead will be ensuring our students, staff, and families have access to the support and care they need during this difficult time,” the statement concluded.

Ad Loading...


Although officials did not release any further information from the scene, the incident remains under investigation.

14 Oklahoma Students Injured After Semi-Truck Rear-Ends Elgin School Bus

Just four days after the fatality in Iowa, students at Elgin Public Schools in Oklahoma were injured when a semi-truck rear-ended Elgin PS bus 25 during drop-off.

Superintendent Nathaniel Meraz shared on Facebook that several passengers, consisting of elementary and middle school students, sustained injuries. “The bus driver did a tremendous job of handling the bus once hit,” he said.

At least three students were sent to an area hospital.

According to The Lawton Constitution, the bus, driven by Kevin Scott McDonald and carrying 39 passengers, was traveling southwest bound on Interstate 44 when it was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer.

Ad Loading...

The school bus struck a cable barrier and came to rest in the center median just north of the Medicine Park exit, according to investigators. Fourteen students were reported injured, including two who were airlifted (one with a broken femur), while another was transported by car. Several others were treated at the scene for minor injuries, and the driver was not hurt.

“There is no greater weight on a community than a threat to the safety of our children,” State Senator Dusty Deevers wrote in a statement. “I also want to highlight the heroic actions of Elgin students Leon Anderson and Clayton Rowell, who, despite their own injuries, selflessly helped younger students out of harm’s way and identified to first responders the children who were more seriously injured."


More Safety

Vehicle dashboard display showing a “Caution: School Bus Stopped Ahead” warning from HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud system, designed to alert motorists to stopped school buses.
Safety•October 29, 2026

HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud Warns Motorists of Stopped School Buses

Through a transponder or Samsara connection, the product lets school bus fleets send advance warnings to approaching drivers through in-vehicle alerts.

Read More →
Four women participate in a council meeting around a wooden conference table, with one speaking while the others listen. Laptops, notebooks, and drinks sit on the table.
Safety•by News/Media Release•October 23, 2026

HopSkipDrive Reports Progress on Safety Advisory Council

More than a year after forming the council, independent safety experts have helped shape new rider-safety features and policy progress, with a new goal to address rider behavior.

Read More →
School Bus Fleet graphic showing students boarding a yellow school bus with the headline “Senate Recognized National School Bus Safety Month for 13th Year.”
Safety•by Elora Haynes•October 22, 2026

What the 2026 National School Bus Safety Month Resolution Means for Student Transportation

The bipartisan resolution highlights illegal school bus passing, student safety during loading and unloading, and the need for driver training and public education.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Close-up of a stop-arm enforcement camera mounted on a yellow school bus, with the headline “When Enforcement Drives Safety” and the School Bus Fleet logo.
Safety•by Amanda Huggett•October 20, 2026

School Bus Stop-Arm Violations Decline 53% Across Verra Mobility Programs

Verra Mobility shares how school bus stop-arm cameras and school zone safety programs are changing driver behavior, reducing violations, and protecting students.

Read More →
Yellow school bus lying on its side after a rollover crash, with the headline “After the Crash” and subtitle “What to Do & What Matters Most,” alongside the School Bus Fleet logo.
Safety•October 20, 2026

Most Bus Crashes Aren’t Your Fault. Here’s How to Prove It.

A guide for what to do in between a school bus crash and a claim: what to preserve, who to notify, and how to keep the facts available when they matter.

Read More →
School Bus Fleet graphic showing a school bus safety inspection in the background, with the headline “2026 National School Bus Safety Week” in large orange and white lettering.
Safety•by Elora Haynes•October 19, 2026

National School Bus Safety Week 2026: Tips, Toolkits & Resources to Keep Students Safe

School bus safety takes more than awareness. Explore expert tips, enforcement strategies, and free resources to help protect students on every ride.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic showing a yellow school bus behind a shattered-glass effect with the text “Multi-Vehicle Crash in FL Takes 2 Lives” and the date October 5, 2026.
Safety•by Staff and News Reports•October 6, 2026

2 Killed, Dozens Injured in Florida School Bus Crash

A multi-vehicle collision caused a Polk County school bus carrying 37 students to overturn on its way to Winter Haven High School.

Read More →
Close-up of an extended red stop arm with flashing lights on the side of a yellow school bus.
Safety•by Elora Haynes•September 21, 2026

Illegal School Bus Passing Drops 24% in New York Districts

With fewer than 5% of citations involving repeat offenders, Westchester County officials said enforcement, education, and community partnerships are helping change driver behavior.

Read More →
Graphic showing a yellow school crossing sign and blurred school bus with the headline, “The Back-to-School Traffic Effect.”
Safety•by Amanda Huggett•September 18, 2026

School's Back. Here's What Happened to Traffic, Speeding & Distraction

What happens to traffic when school resumes? New data analysis examines changes in distracted driving, congestion, and speeding around schools.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Geotab fleet safety platform showing driver coaching data and video of driving events alongside a Geotab vehicle camera.
Technology•by News/Media Release•September 17, 2026

Geotab Expands Fleet Safety Tools With Video Coaching, Risk Insights

New safety and video capabilities aim to help fleet managers assess risk, support drivers, and take targeted action through video coaching, red-light violation detection, and more.

Read More →