– Illinois school bus collision with semi
– Children killed in Illinois school bus collision.

Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Tragic School Bus and Semi-Truck Collision Claims Five Lives in Rushville, Illinois

On a fateful Monday morning in Rushville, Illinois, a devastating accident took place on U.S. Route 24, claiming the lives of five individuals, including three children. The incident involved a school bus from Schuyler-Industry Schools and a semitruck carrying sand, both of which tragically caught on fire upon collision.

Details of the Accident

According to Illinois State Police Troop 6 Capt. Jody Huffman, the school bus was traveling eastbound when it inexplicably crossed the center line into the westbound lanes, directly into the path of the oncoming semitruck. The crash occurred around 11:30 a.m. in Rushville, a close-knit community in Schuyler County.

All four occupants of the school bus, including three children and the driver, as well as the driver of the semitruck, lost their lives in the tragic accident. The victims have been identified as 3-year-olds Noah Driscoll and Andrew Miller, 5-year-old Maria Miller, 57-year-old Angela Spiker, all from Rushville, Illinois, and 72-year-old David Coufal from Browning, Illinois.

Community in Mourning

Schuyler County Sheriff Bill Redshaw expressed the profound impact of the tragedy on the small community, 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.” The community is reeling from the loss of lives, especially of the young children and dedicated bus driver.

Schuyler-Industry Schools, deeply affected by the accident, made the decision to cancel classes for two days as a mark of respect for the victims. The school district released a statement acknowledging the loss of staff and students in the tragic incident and refrained from disclosing further details out of respect for those involved.

Investigation and Response

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with authorities yet to release the names of the victims. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has dispatched a team to conduct a safety investigation in collaboration with state police. Additionally, Schuyler County Coroner Terry Millslagle confirmed that the victims’ bodies are being transported to Springfield for autopsies.

The entire Rushville community is left grappling with the aftermath of the tragic accident, mourning the loss of lives and offering support to the families affected by this heartbreaking incident.

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Illinois school bus collision
Children killed in school bus crash.