Students injured when school bus crashes into ditch, goes over embankment

SALYERSVILLE, Ky. — More than a dozen students and their driver were injured when a school bus careened off the road and into a ditch Monday morning.

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Initial reports indicate the bus was driving towards Salyersville when it left the road and went into a ditch before the driver corrected and got back on the road, WKYT reported. The driver reportedly overcorrected, crossed both lanes of traffic and went over an embankment, where it hit a utility pole before landing on its side.

Photos obtained by the Salyersville Independent show the bus resting on its passenger side, with a cracked windshield.

Magoffin County School District Superintendent Chris Meadows confirmed via email that the bus was carrying 18 students plus the driver, and said that while there were no reported fatalities, “the students and driver have varying degrees of injuries,” and were taken by ambulance or helicopter to area hospitals.

The Magoffin County Schools Board of Education said students on the bus ranged in age from elementary to high school, WLEX reported.

School officials told WKYT that the bus driver was ejected and partially pinned by the bus.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear was made aware of the crash and said in a statement on social media, “Please join me in praying for all those involved.”

In his statement, Meadows said, “The district would like to thank everyone that extended a helping hand at the scene of the accident. Please keep all families in your thoughts and prayers.”

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