Ohio School Bus Crash Kills 1, Injures 23 Others on First Day of School
On the first day of school, a tragic incident occurred where a minivan collided and overturned an Ohio school bus, resulting in the death of an elementary student and leaving 23 other students injured. Gary C. Knapp/Getty Images

On the opening day of school in Ohio, a devastating incident unfolded as a school bus crash resulted in the tragic death of one student, while 23 other children sustained injuries, per ABC News.

The school bus was not equipped with seatbelts, potentially exacerbating the severity of the injuries sustained, according to Tyler Ross from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Moreover, the bus was carrying 52 students from Northwestern Local Schools when the accident transpired.

Around 8:16 am, a Honda Odyssey, traveling in the opposite direction, veered across the center line, entering the lane occupied by the school bus.

Despite the bus driver's efforts to avoid a collision by maneuvering onto the shoulder, the two vehicles made contact.

As a result of the impact, the school bus careened off the right side of the road and overturned, while the Honda veered off the road and came to a halt.

Ohio Student on School Bus Crash Dies on the Scene; One Passenger Sustains 'Life-Threatening' Injuries

The school bus crash took place on Tuesday morning along state Route 41 in German Township, Ohio, as confirmed by the Ohio State Highway Patrol in an official news release, according to CNN.

Regrettably, one young passenger lost their life on-site, while 23 individuals, including a passenger with severe and life-threatening injuries, were swiftly transported to hospitals.

The school bus driver suffered minor injuries, according to the release.

The occupants of the Honda Odyssey, the other vehicle involved in the collision, were taken to Springfield Regional Medical Center with injuries deemed non-life-threatening by the highway patrol.

Dayton Children's Hospital played a crucial role in providing medical care to the injured, The Columbus Dispatch noted.

In response to the scale of the incident, the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association invoked its mass casualty protocol.

In a statement, the hospital noted that the emergency department at Dayton Children's received 22 children from the accident, some arriving via ambulance and others accompanied by their parents.

Northwestern Local Schools communicated on Facebook, acknowledging the unfortunate incident involving one of their buses.

The school district assured the community of its ongoing efforts to gather information and share updates as they become available.

In a subsequent post, the school district revealed the tragic loss of an elementary student. It announced the suspension of classes for the following day.

To offer support during this distressing time, the school promised the availability of grief counselors. Both the Elementary and Jr/Sr High would open their doors at 8 am to provide a space for students, staff, and community members seeking assistance or a chance to converse with mental health specialists.

The community's heartfelt sympathies and prayers are extended to the families affected by this devastating incident.

As authorities continue their investigation, more insights will emerge in due course.

People Gathered at School Bus Crash Area to Pay Respect to Victims

In the aftermath of the Ohio school bus crash, a touching display of solidarity unfolded as community members arrived to pay their respects to the affected individuals.

As the site cleared, individuals came forward to pay respect to the victims. A heartfelt tribute emerged along the roadside, where the tire marks from the crash remained, said WHIOTV7.

Teddy bears and flowers were tenderly placed, creating a poignant memorial.

Among those who paid their respects was a woman who left a poignant bouquet. Overwhelmed by the tragedy, she said, "I don't know who lost their child. Just horrible. Our whole community is just behind you and praying for you, and I'm just so sorry. And wherever you are, I wish I could just hug you. The whole German township is just grieving for you," shared Betsy Essig of Springfield.

Another individual pledged to return to the site with a cross, intending to add it to the small yet growing memorial.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Ohio school bus crash leaves 1 dead, 23 hurt - From Associated Press