SBF 70 years logo
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

A close up detail of the back of a school bus with text reading "Insight From 10 Years of NHTSA Data."
Safetyby Elora HaynesJuly 22, 2026

NHTSA Releases 10-Year Review of Fatal School Bus Crashes

The latest federal analysis reinforces the safety of school buses while identifying where school-age pedestrians and other motorists remain most at risk.

Read More →
Graphic for a School Bus Fleet news story featuring the NASDPTS logo, a speaker presenting with a microphone, and the headline, "38.4 Million Stop-Arm Violations," highlighting annual illegal school bus passing estimates.
Safetyby Amanda HuggettJuly 21, 2026

2026 NASDPTS Survey: Data Shows Further Reduction of Illegal Passing

New data is in! School bus stop-arm passings are down to 38.4 million violations per year, about a 2.3% decrease from last school year — but passings on the right side of the bus are higher than ever.

Read More →
Graphic illustrating a fatal school bus incident in New York, featuring a close-up view of the front of a yellow school bus with a cracked-glass overlay and the headline, "7-Year-Old Fatally Struck in New York," dated July 9, 2026, alongside the School Bus Fleet logo.
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsJuly 9, 2026

Another School Bus Fatality Reported in Monsey, New York

A 7-year-old girl died after being struck by a school bus in Rockland County, New York while crossing the street. Here's what we know.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
School buses at NSTA's SBDISC Roadeo with text reading "School Bus Drivers Put Their Skills to the Test."
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsJune 30, 2026

NSTA Announces 2026 School Bus Driver International Safety Competition Winners

Drivers from across the U.S. and Canada showcased their safety and driving skills, with two defending champions successfully retaining their titles.

Read More →
zonar system image
SponsoredJune 22, 2026

The Driver Shortage Playbook

Driver shortages are still a major challenge for student transportation fleets, but the real issue has shifted. It’s no longer just about filling seats quickly. It’s about finding safe, reliable drivers who meet performance expectations and want to stay. The Driver Shortage Playbook covers why traditional recruitment tactics are falling short and how school fleets are adapting with smarter hiring, stronger retention strategies and a greater focus on driver quality.

Read More →
Promotional graphic for a new Pro-Vision AI camera system. The image shows a monitor displaying camera views with AI object detection overlays, along with multiple cameras and recording hardware. Text reads "New Product," "Pro-Vision," and "Visibly Better." School Bus Fleet logo appears in the lower-right corner.
SafetyJune 11, 2026

Pro-Vision Launches AI-Powered 360° Camera System

The new Birdseye camera delivers real-time AI-based pedestrian and vehicle detections, full visibility around the bus, and telematics integrations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A New York school bus in the street.
Safetyby Elora HaynesJune 9, 2026

N.Y. & N.J. Coalitions Call for Modernized Transportation for Vulnerable Students

New statewide coalitions in New York and New Jersey are urging lawmakers to expand student transportation options for vulnerable students amid ongoing driver shortages.

Read More →
Graphic for an opinion article on illegal school bus passing. A school bus with its stop arm extended is stopped as children cross the street, while a black SUV drives past. Headline reads, “America’s School Bus Blind Spot.” School Bus Fleet branding appears in the corner.
SafetyJune 8, 2026

America Has a School Bus Passing Problem — and Distraction Is Making It Worse

Illegal school bus passing remains a major safety threat as distracted driving rises. This op-ed explores why awareness, enforcement, and stop-arm cameras matter more than ever.

Read More →
A black, white, and red graphic with an image of a school bus on a New York street and text reading "Legislative Roundup May 2026."
Safetyby Elora HaynesMay 29, 2026

School Bus Laws to Watch: New York Delays EV Mandate

Plus, federal lawmakers seek new funding for school bus safety as states weigh stop-arm enforcement, disability protections, and education spending.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Emergency response personnel assist participants evacuating through the rear emergency door of a yellow school bus during a hands-on safety training exercise at Prosper ISD. Smoke fills the bus interior as responders demonstrate emergency evacuation procedures.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseMay 21, 2026

Operation STEER Brings Emergency Response Training to North Texas

Prosper ISD hosted the third annual training for transportation professionals across 67 districts to learn how to respond to emergencies, such as rollovers and evacuations, and proper use of safety equipment.

Read More →