In a devastating incident on Monday, a school bus and a tractor-trailer collided on U.S. Route 24 in Rushville, Illinois, resulting in the tragic deaths of five individuals, including three children. The crash occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. on 11 March 2024, and involved a school bus from Schuyler-Industry Schools and a tractor-trailer transporting sand.
Incident Details:
- The school bus, traveling eastbound, crossed into the westbound lanes for reasons currently unknown, directly into the path of the tractor-trailer.
- Both vehicles caught fire upon impact.
- All four occupants of the school bus, including three children and the driver, were killed.
- The tractor-trailer driver also lost his life in the collision.
3 children, 2 adults die when Illinois school bus collides with tractor-trailer https://t.co/mTVrEEaQNT via @nbcnews
— Dennis Romero (@dennisjromero) March 11, 2024
Community Impact:
Schuyler County, a small community of about 3,000 people located 60 miles west of Springfield, is in mourning. Schuyler County Sheriff Bill Redshaw expressed the community’s grief, stating, “There’s not really words at this time that can be said. When you have a loss of life like this, it’s devastating.”
“When you have a loss of life like this, it’s devastating,” Schuyler County Sheriff Bill Redshaw said. https://t.co/pevHyEh3DK
— WSOCTV (@wsoctv) March 12, 2024
Recent News:
School District Response:
In the wake of the tragedy, Schuyler-Industry Schools announced the cancellation of classes on Tuesday and Wednesday. The school district released a statement saying, “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. Out of respect for everyone involved, no names or further information will be released at this time.”
Investigation:
The cause of the crash is under investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has dispatched a team to collaborate with Illinois State Police in the investigation. Schuyler County Coroner Terry Millslagle confirmed that the victims’ bodies are being transported to Springfield for autopsies.
The NTSB, in coordination with Illinois State Police, is sending a team to conduct a safety investigation into Monday’s multivehicle collision involving a school bus and a truck tractor in combination with a semitrailer on U.S. Highway 24 in Rushville, Schuyler County, Illinois.
— NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) March 12, 2024
For the latest updates on this tragic incident, stay tuned to our news portal.
