TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas — Twelve people were taken to the hospital Wednesday after a Leander ISD bus from Bagdad Elementary School rolled over near the Sandy Creek area on the district’s first day of school.
The crash occurred on Nameless Road north of Honey Comb Lane at 3:15 p.m., according to Austin-Travis County EMS. Officials said 42 children and one adult were on the bus at the time of the crash, bringing the total number of patients to 43.
One person sustained life-threatening injuries, two had potentially life-threatening injuries, and the remaining 40 on board had non-life-threatening injuries, said ATCEMS Assistant Chief Kevin Parker.
The 2024 school bus was equipped with state-regulated seatbelts that children were required to wear, according to Texas Department of Public Safety Public Information Officer Billy Ray. A seasoned veteran bus driver was operating the vehicle.
“Our preliminary crash investigation shows that the bus was traveling south on Nameless Road. For an unknown reason, the bus left the right side of the roadway, rolling it over,” Ray said.
Of the 12 patients transported to hospitals, multiple were taken to Dell Children’s Center at Mueller, while others went to Texas Children’s North, Dell Children’s North and Cedar Park Regional Medical Center, Parker said.
Ten transport units responded to the scene, consisting of six ambulances from Austin-Travis County EMS, two ambulances from ESD 1 and two Travis County STAR Flight helicopters.
A reunification center was established at Round Mountain Baptist Church, located at 14500 Round Mountain Road in Leander. Austin-Travis County EMS said all patients not requiring hospital transport were taken to the church.
The Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Leander Fire Department, Travis County ESD1 and Texas DPS responded to the scene.
Leander ISD Superintendent Bruce Gearing said the community has already endured flooding this summer.
“This part of our Leander ISD family has been through so much already this summer with the floods. This tragedy this afternoon is really breaking our hearts,” Gearing said. “We want each of the students and their families to know that our prayers are with them, our thoughts are with them, and we will do everything that we can in our power to support them.”
Leander ISD provided the following information to the families of Bus 750:
We want to make you aware that this bus was involved in an accident while transporting students this afternoon on Nameless Road. First responders are on the scene, and our staff are with students.
A reunification site has been set up at Round Mountain Church, located at 14500 Round Mountain Rd, Leander, TX 78641.
Please do not go to the accident scene, as it is important to keep the area clear for emergency personnel.
We will continue to provide you with more updates as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding and patience during this time.
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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