SCHOOL BUS CRASH REPORTS 2007

Children Injured in School Bus Rollover Fauquier County, Virginia
October 25, 2007

A school bus overturned in Fauquier County Thursday morning, sending 18 students and the driver to the hospital. None of injuries was considered life-threatening. Fauquier County Public Schools said the bus had just completed picking up students and was on its way to Faquier High School when it crashed about 7:05 a.m. on Route 17 southbound, just south of Obanion Road (Route 698).

A Virginia State Police spokesperson says the preliminary investigation indicates the bus ran off the right side of the road and into a ditch, then overturned in a field.

"Obviously, they're shaken up as you would imagine, to go through something like this," said Dale Sander, Interim Superintendent of Fauquier County Public Schools. "The school board chair and myself have met with every parent that has come into this hospital and their attitude has been very supportive and obviously very caring about their child, but also very caring about the bus driver."

18 Fauquier High School students and the driver were on board the bus at the time of the crash. All the students and the driver were transported to Fauquier Hospital to be checked out.

"We're talking contusions, lacerations, a lot of bumps and bruises, some head injuries, some abdominal injuries," said Dr. Joseph Servideo, with Fauquier Hospital.

Seven students were discharged immediately, eight others were treated for minor injuries and released. Four students were admitted in serious condition, according to hospital spokeswoman Gayla VandenBosch. She said it's unclear whether the driver was released or admitted.

Fauquier County school buses are not equipped with seat belts.

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