Fatal Crash Kills 2 Including Student in Winter Haven School Bus Accident
Emergency crews respond to overturned bus on I-946; 26 students hospitalized after collision with oncoming vehicle.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — A tragic morning in Central Florida turned deadly on Monday when a school bus carrying nearly 40 people overturned after being struck by an oncoming car. The collision resulted in the deaths of two individuals: a tenth-grade girl and the driver of another vehicle that caught fire following the impact. Emergency responders rushed to the scene south of Orlando, where they found the bus lying upside down on its roof with significant damage to its front end.
Details of the Collision
According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, the school bus was traveling toward Winter Haven High School when an oncoming car crossed the center line and struck the side of the bus near the rear wheels. The force of the impact ripped a tire off the bus, causing it to crash head-on into an oncoming Jeep that subsequently caught fire. Sheriff Judd described the scene as "a horrible crash" and noted that most of the 39 people aboard were high school students, along with the bus driver and the driver's daughter.
Emergency Response and Injuries
The aftermath saw a heavy presence of emergency responders working to right the overturned vehicle and assist those involved. Sheriff Judd reported that 26 students were transported to local hospitals following the accident, with at least one person remaining in critical condition. First responders spent several hours transporting victims to medical facilities, identifying them, and reuniting students with their parents, more context in Florida Driver Faces Charges After Fleeing Stop and Hitting School Bus With 19 Kids.
Community Reaction
The incident has deeply affected the Winter Haven community. Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Frederick Heid noted that while this event could have been far worse given the condition of the bus, it remains a significant tragedy for families in the area. Justin Sharpless, chairman of the Polk County school board, asked the community to come together to support the family of the deceased student and the staff at Winter Haven High School.
