The students are safe and in the ships after an accident involving their school bus bringing them to the Space Center from Terraton Idaho for tonight's Overnight Camp.
I'm relieved! It would be devastating if anyone was injured or killed in the accident, especially because they were on their way to our Overnight Camp. The entire story is below along with pictures from the crash.
Again, the kids are in the ships now. I hear debating, music, explosions, a bit of shouting and the normal sounds of five simulators all neck deep in EdVentures into the Cosmos. What could have been a disaster turned out to OK. Again, we are glad the kids are here at the Center, alive, uninjured and having fun.
Mr. Williamson
By: Stuart Summers It was a wild ride for dozens of students Friday morning after the school bus they were traveling in was hit by a truck on Interstate 15. The collision sent the bus from West Jefferson School District off the interstate and down an embankment.
Melanie Newman, mother riding school bus: "It was rather scary. It was something you don't expect."
It began as an overnight middle school trip to space camp in Utah, but early on in their voyage the bus encountered some turbulence.
Audrey Newman, 7th grade student on bus: "We just slammed on the brakes, and I saw the car flip and I didn't really know what was happening. I was glad when it was over."
Just before 7:30 a.m. the 61 year-old driver of a 1999 Toyota Tacoma lost control of his truck while trying to pass this school bus. The two vehicles collided just north of Blackfoot causing the truck to overturn, and sending the school bus down an embankment.
Melanie: "We went off the interstate and the bus kept going for a ways. That was it. It stopped and we're glad it stopped."
The dozens of students aboard the school bus were startled by the accident, but luckily no one was injured.
The driver of the truck was taken by ambulance to Bingham Memorial Hospital and was treated for minor injuries.
As for the trip to Utah and space camp, a new bus was sent to pick up the kids and they are on their way.
Melanie: "Everyone was shaken up a bit, but we'll go on with the trip and have a good experience."
