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.
The student attended Davenport Community School District in Iowa; the investigation is ongoing.
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School Bus Fleet
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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."
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