A medical incident suffered by a 37-year-old bus driver may be to blame for a crash that injured more than 30 people, most of whom were high school students returning from a church retreat.
The crash occurred around 2:36 p.m. just off of the southbound exit ramp from Interstate 81 to PA Route 25 in Foster Township, Schuylkill County.
Pennsylvania State Police say the bus driver lost control, veered off of the highway and onto the right shoulder and went through the exit ramp to Route 25. It then went across Route 25, where it hit a center guide rail, then hit an embankment and went 50 yards into a wooded area.
The bus belongs to Premiere #1 Limousine Service, where senior member Doug Rydbom said both an internal investigation and a state police investigation into the crash are underway.
While it’s being investigated, he said the evidence is leaning to a medical incident suffered by driver leading to the crash.
The driver is now in stable condition with a fractured ankle, Rydbom said.
There were 31 passengers on the 56-person bus that was returning to the Lives Changed By Christ Church’s Manheim campus from a retreat in Lake Champion, New York. The company owns all late-model buses with many upgraded safety features, like high-back seats and seat belts, which Rydbom said likely went a long way in preventing further injury.
“Our concerns and prayers go out to everyone on the bus,” Rydbom said. “We hope they all recover in a speedy manner.”
When reached by PennLive Monday morning, LCBC Church officials were not immediately available to discuss the crash but said they will have an update later on Monday.
“At this time, our staff is focusing all efforts on caring for those affected by the accident,” spokeswoman Marisa Keener said.
But church officials posted several updates about the crash on their website, saying the people onboard were all high school freshmen and sophomore girls as well as volunteer leaders from their Manheim campus.
A total of three buses were returning from the retreat, church officials said. The other two made it back safely.
Church officials wrote in the update late Sunday that all 31 students and volunteers sustained varying levels of injuries. All but one of them were taken to five different hospitals. Four of the injured had to be flown by helicopter for treatment.
As of Sunday evening, about two-thirds of the injured had been treated and released. Of those who remain hospitalized, several are in critical condition, church leaders said.
“We ask that you would continue to pray for each student and their families during this very difficult time,” church leaders wrote. “Additionally, we ask for peace and comfort for the families of each of the girls involved.”
The bus itself is likely a total loss, Rydbom added.
State police continue to investigate the crash.
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Medical incident may have caused central Pa. bus crash that injured more than 30 - PennLive
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