Students injured in overturned bus incident
CANTON, Ga. (AP) - March 3, 2008 None of the students was in critical condition, officials said.
The bus went out of control about 8 a.m. on Highway 140 near
Canton, about 40 miles north of Atlanta, while it was headed to
Sequoyah High School and Dean Rusk Middle School.
Cherokee County sheriff's Sgt. Jay Baker said a preliminary
analysis indicated the driver apparently overcorrected when the
vehicle's right-side tires went off the pavement.
None of the students was thrown from the bus.
Witness William Lombardo said he and his workers at a company
across the street saw the accident and rushed to help the students,
keeping them from stepping on power lines that were downed by the
crash.
"There was a loud noise, we heard a sound ... and you could see
the bus going from left to right, clip a telephone pole, power
lines start going off and the bus starts sliding under the power
lines. The next thing you know it hits a pole and slides on its
side," said Lombardo, 40, president of Risk Management Disaster
Service.
One student was taken to Atlanta Medical Center by helicopter
because the student had lost consciousness after the accident.
Although authorities initially said that youngster was in critical
condition, Cherokee County Fire Department spokesman Tim Cavender
said the student regained consciousness during the flight and
officials decided the student's injuries were not life-threatening.
Ten other students were taken to North Fulton Hospital for
treatment of neck and back injuries.
Remaining students were evaluated before being released to their
parents, Cavender said.
Parents were told to gather at Sequoyah High School for more
information. Cherokee County School District spokesman Brian
Hightower did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.