RUSHVILLE, IL — A devastating accident in the rural Illinois town of Rushville claimed the lives of three young children and two adults on Monday. The tragic collision involved a school bus and a semitrailer, resulting in a heartbreaking loss for the community.

The victims have been identified as 3-year-old Noah Driscoll, 3-year-old Andrew Miller, and 5-year-old Maria Miller, all from Rushville, as well as 57-year-old Angela Spiker of Rushville and 72-year-old David Coufal of Browning. The Schuyler County coroner confirmed their identities.

Schuyler County Sheriff Bill Redshaw expressed the profound impact of the tragedy, stating, “There are no words that can adequately convey the sorrow we feel at this time. The loss of life in this accident is truly devastating.”

The fatal incident occurred on Route 24, west of Parkview Road, around 11:30 a.m. The eastbound school bus crossed into the westbound lanes, leading to a collision with the semitrailer. Both vehicles caught fire upon impact. The semitrailer was transporting sand at the time of the crash.

Schuyler-Industry Schools addressed the tragedy on social media, stating, “Our school community has suffered a profound loss today, with the involvement of both students and staff in this morning’s tragic accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and the entire community during this difficult time.”

In response to the heartbreaking incident, the district announced that classes would be canceled on Tuesday and Wednesday. Counselors and support staff will be available to provide assistance to teachers and students in need.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be collaborating with state police to conduct a thorough safety investigation into the crash, as confirmed by the agency on Monday evening.

Located approximately 60 miles west of Springfield, Rushville is a close-knit community with a population of around 3,000 residents.

Contributions to this report were made by The Associated Press.