9 students, school bus driver hospitalized after bus crashes into tree, police say

ELEANOR, W.Va. (WSAZ/Gray News) - A school bus driver and nine students were hospitalized following a crash in West Virginia Wednesday morning.

Putnam County Sheriff Bobby Eggleton said the crash happened around 7:30 a.m. on Route 62, also known as Roosevelt Boulevard, in the Eleanor area.

The sheriff says the bus driver experienced a medical emergency leading to the bus leaving the road and crashing into a tree.

The driver and nine students were taken to the hospital, and at least one child was seriously injured and had to undergo surgery.

Twenty-eight students were on board during the incident, most attending George Washington Elementary and Middle School.

Twenty-eight students were on board a school bus that crashed into a tree Wednesday morning.(wsaz)

The road was shut down in both directions while crews worked to reconstruct the scene.

Putnam County Schools released a statement following the crash.

“It is our understanding that, at this time, the bus operator and approximately nine students have been transported to area hospitals by medical staff or family members. Putnam County Schools extends our sincere thoughts and prayers to our PCS bus operator and all students involved. We are grateful for our first responders, EMS, law enforcement agencies, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, medical staff, and school staff, who responded instantly and overwhelmingly to the incident,” the district said.