BREAKING NEWS: Bus crashes into tractor-trailer

Twenty-one students from Braden River Middle School were transported to three local emergency rooms today after their bus collided head-first into the back of a tractor-trailer.

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash, which occurred around 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of 66th Street East and State Road 64. 

FHP Public Information Officer Lt. Chris Miller said the tractor-trailer was stopped at a red light when the bus crashed into it from behind while heading west on S.R. 64. Officials are still unclear how the bus passed the tractor-trailer and came to a stop immediately in front of the S.R. 64 Walmart  — more than four blocks from the crash site.

"Now that the scene is settled down, we're looking at both vehicles to make sure brakes and everything was working properly," Miller said, noting an investigation of the incident is ongoing. "I've heard a lot of different things (about what happened), but until I get eye witnesses, I don't want to talk (about specifics)."

It is rumored a bystander saw the bus rolling forward along S.R. 64 and jumped through a window to get inside the bus, hit its brakes and stop the vehicle.  

Manatee County Schools Superintendent Tim McGonegal confirmed the driver of the bus blacked out upon impact of the crash. Students began exiting the bus through the windows after it came to a complete stop, he said.

School District spokesperson Margi Nanney said that of the 40 students on the bus, 21 were transported to hospitals with minor injuries. One broken leg has been confirmed.

The drivers of the bus and of the tractor-trailer both were taken to the hospital for evaluation, as well, officials confirmed.

"We were lucky we didn't have any life-threatening injuries," Nanney said. 

Nanney said school district administrators are stationed at local hospitals to keep up-to-date on the condition of students. The School District will have staff members on-hand at Braden River Middle School tonight to address parent or other inquiries regarding the accident.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].