*Update*
The driver of a bus that rolled over into a ditch between Woodstock and Ingersoll faces one charge under the Highway Traffic Act.
The unnamed 34-year-old, a resident of Oxford County, has been charged with careless driving causing bodily harm. The accused is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Woodstock on April 18. The bus was picking up students attending the Woodstock Christian School, located on Juliana Drive. Emergency crews were called to the intersection of Dodge Line and Cuthbert Road at approximately 8:15 Tuesday morning.
A statement from Oxford County said paramedics transported six patients with minor injuries to area hospitals, including the driver. One was taken by ORNGE air ambulance to London with non-life-threatening injuries after being ejected from the vehicle. “The child was pinned under the bus and was taken to hospital for precautionary reasons. There were no symptoms of external injuries, but it was important to make sure there were no internal injuries,” said Oxford OPP spokesperson Randi Crawford. “All the students are okay. There were 40 students on the bus but all those injured sustained minor injuries,” she added.
Police are thanking Oxford County Paramedic Services, South-West Oxford Fire and Emergency Services, and members of the public for their assistance and support at the scene. “Thank you to the good Samaritans who stopped by to help the students. We greatly appreciate you. Thank you for being such a close community and helping each other out,” said Crawford. A resident from a nearby farmhouse ran to the scene just after the crash to help students get out of the bus.
Ontario’s Education Minister was asked about the incident today at Queen’s Park, specifically if seatbelts need to be looked at on school buses. “This just happened so let’s let this independent school to conclude an investigation.” The Gazette reached out to the Woodstock Christian School for comment but an official there declined.
