ECONOMY BOROUGH, Pa. — At least 21 people were taken to hospitals Saturday after a school bus crash in Beaver County.
PHOTOS: Emergency crews respond to school bus crash involving Aliquippa football players
Police, fire and EMS were called to Shaffer Road in Economy Borough around 10 a.m.
Members of the Aliquippa Junior High football team were on the bus, which was headed to Pine-Richland for a game. There were 25 students on the bus along with two coaches and a bus driver.
Multiple injuries were reported and patients were taken to local hospitals. According to the Aliquippa Fire Department, 21 people were taken to hospitals or trauma centers.
UPMC officials said that 20 students were taken to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh for treatment. A spokesperson says all but one, who required surgery, have been discharged.
An Allegheny General Hospital spokesperson said the hospital received two patients from the crash. It’s unclear if one of the patients was transferred.
12-year-old football player Brandon Rue, who was on the bus at the time, said the experience was terrifying.
“I thought he was going to be okay, and then he hit into a pole, and then the bus crashed onto his left side,” Rue told Channel 11.
Rue said the driver was going fast downhill and swerved before the collision. The impact caused Rue to break his collarbone after he fell onto a window.
“Whenever I came out of the bus, one of my friends, ... she was on the ground, laying face first,” Rue said. “She came out of the bus, I’m pretty sure, and she broke her leg.”
The crash’s cause is under investigation.
In a release, Aliquippa School District Superintendent Phillip Woods said the bus did not flip over but came to rest against a hillside.
“We are grateful to share that there were no fatalities, and no other vehicles were involved,” Woods said.
The district is working with ABC Transit to obtain the bus video and recover students’ belongings, Woods said. A parent meeting will be held Monday at 5:30 p.m. in the Black Box to answer questions.
All junior high football practices and games for the next week have been canceled to allow individuals and community members the time to heal, Woods said.
“The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority,” he said. “We are in close contact with the families involved and will be providing support through our school counselors, staff and community partners.”
Woods added: “We would like to sincerely thank the first responders and the medical staff at UPMC Children’s Hospital for their quick, thorough, and compassionate care for our students. We ask the community to keep our students and their families in your thoughts during this difficult time.”
The Aliquippa Junior High Football team also posted on Facebook, asking people to take a moment to send a thought or prayer to the players and coaches who were traveling.
Gov. Josh Shapiro stated on social media that he’s been in contact with Aliquippa’s mayor and has offered his administration’s full support.
“Football brings the Aliquippa community together — and I know those who prepared to cheer on their team today are already stepping in to care for their neighbors and check in on the families affected," Shapiro stated. “The entire community is in our thoughts today. Please join Lori and me in praying for the team, their parents, their coaches, and everyone rallying behind them.”
A post from the City of Aliquippa Police Department reads: “Our hearts and minds are with the family, children and community members impacted by today’s tragic motor vehicle accident in Economy as the Junior High Football team headed to a scrimmage, and we pray for strength and resilience in the face of adversity. The officers in the department wish a speedy and healthy recovery to those involved and to those dealing with the aftermath, and we stand together in hope and solidarity. Resources are being extended by the City of Aliquippa to support and uplift all those affected.”
Hours after the crash, community members gathered at an Aliquippa playground to pray for the victims.
Many players and coaches from the junior high team, some still visibly bruised, were there as teachers, parents and other people offered support.
Autumn Ivy, a teacher in the Aliquippa School District, helped organize the event.
“My heart just shattered, and I thought, what do I do?” Ivy said. “I don’t have money to send them all flowers or cook them all dinner.”
Despite the fear and injuries, the community is grateful the crash didn’t result in any lives lost.
“God had his hand in this,” one community member said.
Aliquippa School Board President Tina Price-Genes said that, when classes resume on Monday, behavioral and mental health support will be available for students who need it.
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