Education

50 Treated After Massive School Bus Collision En Route to Six Flags

50 Treated After Massive School Bus Pile Up En Route to Six Flags on I 20

(Photo: WBSTV)

(The Blaze/AP)  As many as 200 middle school students were on their way to Six Flags Saturday when a chain collision stopped six school buses and a car east of Atlanta.

One driver, identified as Angela Anthony, 44, of Midville, Ga, was seriously injured and had to be flown to Grady Memorial hospital, but miraculously, everyone else only suffered cuts and bruises.

“It was scary,” a student on the bus commented. “No one knew what was going on. Some kids were hurt.”

The students were reportedly told to evacuate through the back of the bus, and then wait in a ditch until the injured bus driver could be safely airlifted out.

The accident happened on Interstate 20 when traffic on the highway slowed approaching Covington because of a closed lane, according to a spokesman for the Georgia State Patrol, which is investigating the accident.

50 Treated After Massive School Bus Pile Up En Route to Six Flags on I 20

(Photo: WBSTV)

As the buses reduced speed, one bus was struck from behind by another, setting off a chain reaction that soon affected six buses and a car.  The accident temporarily shut down westbound traffic on the major highway.

Two other people suffered injuries, police said.

One mother received a frantic call from her daughter after the accident.

“I didn’t know where they were,” she said. “I [had] been getting updates from Facebook. The school should have told us something.”

While a school spokeswoman maintain they were available all day for questions, parents reportedly only received an automated message saying the children could be picked up at a certain time, but no associated details.

About 50 others were examined at regional hospitals for possible injuries after the wreck. Aside from the bus driver, school officials said none of the injuries appeared serious.

“Just a few bruises, scrapes,” the school spokeswoman said. “Nothing bad happened to any of our children.”

Comments (32)

  • Stewie
    Posted on May 20, 2012 at 1:23pm

    Not an unusual occurrance around here. At least once a year going to an amusement park. And every other day it seems here in town, The drivers pull up so close close to each other and private motorists at stop signs and signal lights that ANY bobble results in a chain reaction.

    In my experience, school bus drivers are either extremely professional and competent drivers or are some of the most dangerous monsters on the road. No in-between.

    Report Post »  
  • moussiagilda
    Posted on May 20, 2012 at 10:21am

    Nobody was hurt very much, and it was probably agreed upon by union employees that they‘d have a nice little crash and they’d hype it hysterically, to try to spread despair. Shush.

    Meanwhile, to inspire America, I want to hear lots more bad-taste wisecracks by Rand Paul.

    i

    Report Post »  
  • piper60
    Posted on May 20, 2012 at 8:55am

    My first reaction would be to ask:Why were the buses close enough together to bump each other like that in the FIRST place? Weather or not, that sounds like unsafe driving practices.

    Report Post » piper60  
  • JamesR
    Posted on May 20, 2012 at 7:34am

    Just to comment, older people can handle expressway LEGAL speeds and not those of 80 to 90 MPH in moderate to heavy traffic where all lanes are congested. I’ve driven charter coaches in GA and in FL and I have never seen such idiot drivers in my life. It seems to be a race to no where and it increases the very real danger of horrible accidents that could be prevented with a little common sense, something a lot of drivers in GA and FL do not have.

    Report Post »  
    • snrub
      Posted on May 20, 2012 at 2:06pm

      You are exactly right’ in Atlanta when you reach the metro area drivers speed up.

      Report Post »  
  • wvgirl
    Posted on May 20, 2012 at 7:34am

    I am always amazed when bad CHOICES are called accidents. The bus drivers CHOSE to drive too fast, to tailgate, to not use caution while driving a massive killing machine with children on board. If there was a lane closure, there surely were warning signs, which the drivers ignored, as well. This was no accident, just poor CHOICES. They should be fired at the very least.

    Report Post »  
    • janedough1
      Posted on May 20, 2012 at 8:06am

      You are absolutely right. A true accident is when a well-maintained brake malfunctions, or a deer runs in front of a car driving at the proper speed for conditions. A chain reaction collision between buses that are tailgating and unable to stop is not an accident. The problem is that kids are so undisciplined and peoples expectations for wages and benefits are so high these days that no one wants to drive a bus. So if you fire this group, you aren’t likely to get someone with a higher standard of professionalism. The best idea is to stop trusting the government with your kids.

      Report Post »  
    • wvgirl
      Posted on May 20, 2012 at 9:41am

      Fully agree that this was no “accident”. I have held these beliefs for a long time. Adults will rationalize anything to stay out of the trouble of their own making, instead of owning up to the bad choices they make. Is it any wonder our children behave the same way?

      I do disagree that pay scale has anything to do with bad driving, bad choices, or integrity, in general. I see road rage and poor driving from all walks of life, including people in “professional” careers.

      I would never allow my child to be anywhere near a public school, but that’s another topic.

      I think these bus drivers should be held accountable for the bus damages, any medical bills, and should not be allowed to transport children in the public school system again. A stiff fine or a few nights in jail would be a deterrent for future bus drivers.

      However, just as parents make excuses for their children’s bad behavior and choices, the school system is already making excuses for the drivers bad behavior and bad choices, and trying to minimalize the effect on the children as shown in the above article. The fact that no one was seriously hurt physically is a miracle. However, the drivers should be made accountable with driving violations fines, held liable for vehicle damages, and medical fees. If they are not held accountable in some way, there would be no reason to change bad choices in the future.

      Report Post »  
  • Coralchristie
    Posted on May 20, 2012 at 7:22am

    It was an accident. ’nuff said.

    Report Post »  
  • joehanx2
    Posted on May 20, 2012 at 7:02am

    i thought school busses had governors on them and they could only go 45mph.

    Report Post »  
    • pavnvet
      Posted on May 20, 2012 at 10:08am

      Wrong. Although some may have governors, I have been on plenty of interstates where they are traveling along at 65+. Many of the drivers are good, thoughtful and professional. Others, I wouldn’t let drive my lawn tractor down my driveway. Also, there is the “kid element” of distractions. I don’t know about you, but a bunch of teenagers jabbering and laughing can be very distracting. Oh, and since they didn’t do it on purpose, it is an accident.

      Report Post » pavnvet  
  • Mr.Fitnah
    Posted on May 20, 2012 at 4:28am

    Why are they going to amusement parks?
    Why not prison for the day?

    Report Post » Mr.Fitnah  
  • Mr.Fitnah
    Posted on May 20, 2012 at 4:25am

    End massive buses .

    Report Post » Mr.Fitnah  
  • Hawaii_Conservative
    Posted on May 20, 2012 at 1:56am

    Having driven in Atlanta for 8 years, the bus drivers are miracle workers. Out of state and older drivers can’t handle driving the posted speed limit of 70 mph on I-20. But no one drives 70, I repeatedly drove 80-85 mph. Thanks for the good news.

    Report Post » Hawaii_Conservative  
    • CatB
      Posted on May 20, 2012 at 5:53am

      LOL .. in Atlanta at 80 – 85 you are still getting passed .. I have a system for anyone driving through Atlanta .. first DON’T take the bipass everyone takes it … next keep moving to the center lane .. no one wants to drive that center lane . as lanes go off and come on it shifts .. just shift with it … and stay in the center lane. Don’t forget to pray also.

      Report Post »  
  • COFemale
    Posted on May 20, 2012 at 1:37am

    This who accident could of been worse.

    Report Post » COFemale  
  • AmericanSubmariner
    Posted on May 20, 2012 at 12:55am

    Tailgating.

    Report Post » AmericanSubmariner  
  • AmericanSubmariner
    Posted on May 20, 2012 at 12:54am

    MORON bus driving tailgaters…..

    Report Post » AmericanSubmariner  
  • wordweaver
    Posted on May 20, 2012 at 12:37am

    Many organizations make it a practice not to convoy together like this when transporting large groups of children for just this reason.

    Report Post » wordweaver  
    • 71FOREVER
      Posted on May 20, 2012 at 1:43am

      when traffic backs up from lane closures, the traffic gets closer together naturally. I wouldn’t call it a convoy…. but I would say tailgating.

      Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on May 20, 2012 at 12:10am

    Thank God there were no fatalities in this matter; God watches over His children, and I am glad for that. Those who got injured in any manner let them have a full and fast recovery.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • voodoolife
    Posted on May 19, 2012 at 11:57pm

    “Just a few bruises, scrapes,” the school spokeswoman said. “Nothing bad happened to any of our children.”
    _________________________________________________________

    And that is the best news!

    Report Post » voodoolife  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on May 19, 2012 at 11:55pm

    …
    School buses need seatbelts.

    Report Post »  
    • HiredMind Blog
      Posted on May 20, 2012 at 12:18am

      Are you kidding? You want every bus driver to try and get 60 ten-year olds to wear their seat belts? Ridiculous. In this case, the only person that were seriously injured was the driver, who was probably wearing a belt.

      What we need are bus drivers that don’t follow so close.

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 20, 2012 at 12:26am

      Keep your kids at Home… and Home School them… if you fear the Real World!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • bikerr
      Posted on May 20, 2012 at 12:51am

      A real leader wouldn’t even suggest that.

      Report Post »  
    • 71FOREVER
      Posted on May 20, 2012 at 1:41am

      Seat belts on school buses are AWESOME WEAPONS for kids to sling at each other with heavy metal buckles on the end of a strap. I’ve seen it in action.
      Seat belts on school buses would require students be honest, responsible, and safety-savy…. unlike most of the adults they model. I’ve seen their parents on field trips.
      Seat belts on school buses can be monitored to see if they are “plugged in” with a light-up board at the front of the bus…. students also learn how to spell words in the light up board like a “night bright” toy. Yep… it’s true.
      School bus seat backs, and corresponding seat-bottoms, are built with height, girth, and then spaced in a particular way so that the student, in case of an accident, slips forward on the seat until they come in contact with the specially engineered seat-back in front of them, and then they slide down and onto the floor. Yep… the floor.
      Seat belts, wrongly worn or positioned, on a school bus in an accident can cause spine damage, whiplash, and death by hanging.
      School buses have students seated ABOVE the area of impact for an accident (aside of a train), adding another safety factor.
      The cuts and bruises are unfortunate for these children, but the safety features on the bus worked just as they were designed to….. no one was hurt further by a poorly used seat belt.
      I drove a school bus for 10 years. I know what I am talking about.

      Report Post »  
    • sawbuck
      Posted on May 20, 2012 at 3:14am

      OK ..You guys just stepped into one of my pet peeves …

      I’m with LeadNotFollow..!

      Why ..??

      Because “The Nazis” …I mean “The IRS”…I mean “The Law”..
      Have already told us that People have to anchor their children
      down like a car-jack to their vehicle OR..They will be TAXED…
      I mean FINED …

      Also…Some of the “not to advanced” kids on these
      middle school buses ..would (if a IRS AGENT)…I mean policeman
      wants to TAX YOU…I MEAN…GIVE YOU A TICKET…
      because he/she CHILD…Should be in a booster seat..!!

      But lets keep playing this “For the greater good” ..crap

      This double standard…
      That somehow the same law of physics and the same excuses
      That they FORCE… on EVERY vehicle… that carries a child…
      STOPS AND CHANGES..

      ONCE THE CHILD ENTERS…. A PUBLIC SCHOOL BUS…

      Report Post » sawbuck  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 20, 2012 at 4:52am

      @SAWBUCK
      I am for Redunantcy: If you are Fearful of a loss of One… then have Two, where the Second is a Replacement or Spare! I reject the Skier’s Floatation Air Bag or Boy in a Bubble protection devices… but, of course, these are FreeWill Choices for the Fearful! And, I reject being Taxed to cover the expense of providing Equipment for the Fearful.
      I think Fascists should sit in the Rear of the Bus… where they can keep an eye on everyone… and not be able to Make Laws that make other people do their work for them.
      I think that no one can “Save A Child” whom is not smart enough to stay out of Harm’s Way.
      And, I think… Parents are the Real Educators… and must Teach everything that is required to Survive in the Real World!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • sawbuck
      Posted on May 20, 2012 at 8:14am

      LUKERW
      In no way am I advocating more seatbelt laws And in no way was I
      going against yours and others comments ..

      I’m just sounding off against the same micro managed nonsense that
      you listed. On some of the public safety issues, when EVERYONE knows
      that it no more than a tax ..
      Every time some bleeding heart says ”we need a law”.. Our Gov. is more than
      happy to oblige…All for the good of the people.. Then when everyone complies
      to the law…the revenue goes down.. Then the Gov. complains
      We don’t have enough money.. Then the next bleeding heart… suggest another Law
      ….And the Gov. jumps on it for the…Revenue.. again.
      Under the guise protecting the masses

      I personally wear a seat belt …
      But if I chose not to … I shouldn’t have any law.. to force me otherwise.

      Report Post » sawbuck  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 20, 2012 at 9:59am

      @SAWBUCK
      I just rewrote yours… in my words :)

      Report Post » lukerw  

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