Three children and two adults died after a school bus collided with a semi-truck on U.S. Route 24 in Illinois on Monday, authorities said.
The fatal collision between the school bus and the semi-truck carrying sand happened on the highway at 11:30 a.m., local time, in Rushville, Illinois State Police said during a press briefing.
The bus was heading East on Route 24 and for an “unknown reason,” crossed over into the Westbound lanes in front of the semi-truck, police said.
Two adults and three children were killed after a school bus crashed into commercial vehicle, March 11, 2024, Rushville, Ill.
WICS
Both vehicles erupted into flames after the collision, according to authorities.
The school bus was transporting three children at the time of the crash. The three children, as well as both drivers, were pronounced dead on the scene, authorities said.
The children who died in the accident were preschoolers, Schuyler County Coroner Terry Millslagle told ABC News. All of the families of the victims have been contacted.
Schuyler-Industry Schools confirmed the incident with a “heavy heart” in a Facebook post on Monday.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce our school community has lost both staff and students in the traffic incident involving one of our school buses this morning,” the post read. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and our community.”
The school added, “Out of respect for everyone involved, no names or further information will be released at this time.”
The school district canceled school on Tuesday and Wednesday, following the incident.
— ABC News’ Darren Reynolds and Jianna E. Cousin contributed to this report.
On Wednesday morning, tragedy struck in Illinois as a school bus carrying students collided with a semi-truck, resulting in five fatalities. The crash occurred on a rural highway near the town of Bloomington, leaving the community in shock and mourning the loss of young lives.
According to authorities, the school bus was transporting a group of students to a local elementary school when it was struck by the semi-truck. The force of the impact caused both vehicles to veer off the road and into a nearby ditch. Emergency responders rushed to the scene to provide medical assistance to those involved in the crash.
Police have confirmed that five individuals, including both students and adults, lost their lives in the collision. The identities of the victims have not yet been released, pending notification of their families. In addition to the fatalities, several others sustained injuries of varying degrees and were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but initial reports suggest that poor weather conditions may have played a role. Heavy fog and slick roads were reported in the area at the time of the collision, which may have contributed to reduced visibility and difficult driving conditions.
In response to the tragedy, local officials have expressed their condolences to the families of the victims and have offered support to those affected by the crash. The school district has also issued a statement expressing their grief and offering counseling services to students and staff members who may be struggling to cope with the loss.
As the community comes to terms with this devastating event, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for caution when driving, especially in adverse weather conditions. Our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident, and we hope for a swift recovery for those who were injured.
