Photo by: weartv
An Escambia County school bus loaded with students was involved in a crash with a tractor in Walnut Hill on Friday afternoon.
According to Florida Highway Patrol, the students are okay. One student, a 12-year-old boy from Century, did sustain minor injuries and was taken to Baptist Hospital.
Troopers say the driver of the tractor, a 47-year-old McDavid man, failed to yield to traffic when making a left turn onto Wilma Road, as the driver of the bus went to pass the tractor in a passing zone. That resulted in the left side of the tractor colliding with the front bumper of the school bus.
The brother of the tractor driver said he was flown to Baptist Hospital after he was seriously injured.
His brother said he’s hurt, but in good spirits, sitting up, and talking.
WEAR News spoke to a student who was on the bus during the crash.
He said his grandmother is the bus driver involved in the crash with the tractor.
Highway 164 in Escambia County was the backdrop of the collision.
Parents rushed to the scene when their children called about the crash, just after 4 p.m. near Walnut Hill.
Mark Dean shared a picture of his brother, Ryan Godwin, next to family and his red tractor.
“Word from his daughter is he’s sitting up and conscious and responding very well,” Dean said.
By all accounts, Godwin was making a left turn on Wilmur Road when the bus tried to pass him.
Godwin’s brother believes what happened next was bad luck, on a narrow road.
“You have a lot of school buses, log trucks, and there’s just not a lot of room on each side of the road,” Dean said. “These roads definitely need to be widened.”
As backup buses and parents whisked children home, one student was closer to the crash than most of the 24 others seated on that bus.
“Well, the bus driver was my grandmother, so it’s not very fun,” Wyatt Money, a student on school bus said.
WEAR News has reached out to the Escambia County School District’s director of transportation to see if they’re available for comment.
Being involved in a school bus accident can be a traumatic experience, especially if you or your loved ones have sustained injuries. At Ovadia Law Group, we understand the complexities of these cases and are here to provide you with expert legal guidance and support. When you call us at 1-800-674-9396, we’ll schedule a free consultation to discuss your situation and explore your legal options. Our experienced attorneys will listen to your story with compassion and empathy, working tirelessly to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses. Whether the accident was caused by negligence on the part of the driver, the school district, or another party, we’ll fight fiercely on your behalf to seek justice and hold those responsible accountable.
Source: Weartv
