School bus crash sends students to hospitals

MANSON, Ind. (WLFI) - A school bus from the Clinton Prairie School Corporation was involved in a crash shortly before 8 a.m. Friday just south of Manson, Ind.

Clinton County dispatchers say Bus No. 5 somehow rolled over on its side while driving near Colfax Manson Road and South Clinton County Road 450 West. There were 27 people total on the bus. That's 26 students and a bus driver.

Dispatchers confirmed injuries were reported in the crash.

We're told 23 of those students were taken by a secondary bus to the hospital for precautionary reasons, and three students were taken by ambulance to hospitals and are in serious condition.

One student was sent to IU Health Arnett in Lafayette and the others were sent to St. Vincent Hospital in Frankfort.

Sheriff Ward says the bus was headed east on Colfax Manson when the driver lost control of the bus for an unknown reason.

Ward says the bus rolled over completely once and then stopped on its side.

A secretary with Clinton Prairie School Corp. told News 18 the bus was carrying elementary, middle and high school students.

"It's a very sad thing when I see it," Lt. Joe Mink of the Clinton County Sheriff's Office. "Probably a third or more of these kids I know because I've had them in class, so it's kind of tough when you get that kind of a call, and you know it's somebody you probably know."

We're told by investigators the bus driver involved in the crash was a replacement for the regular driver.

A crash reconstructionist is working on the case and Indiana State Troopers are also assisting in the ongoing investigation.

The Clinton Prairie School Corporation superintendent will hold a press conference at 3 p.m. in the administration building.

News 18 has a crew on the scene. We'll bring you details and more photos as soon as possible.