Cherry school bus involved in accident, at least 12 injured

According to Hibbing Fire Department Chief Erik Jankila, a school bus from Cherry School was involved in a bus-vehicle accident at the intersection of Highway 5 and Townline Rd. in Hibbing. The collision with the vehicle, a Toyota RAV4, caused the bus to roll over.

“All passengers on the bus were able to exit the bus on their own and were triaged and treated on site based on the severity of their injuries. Police assisted in counting and confirming all students,” Jankila explained. “A total of 11 people – 1 adult and 10 students – were transported by ambulance to Fairview Range in Hibbing or Essentia Health Virginia with non-life-threatening injuries. All were transported within less than an hour of the accident.”

The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office originally reported 12 injured students to WDIO, but the number has since been revised to 10 students and 2 adults.

The driver of the RAV4 suffered life-threatening injuries and was flown out using LifeLink III.

“Hibbing Fire/EMS responded with four ambulances and three fire trucks and requested mutual aid from the neighboring towns of Chisholm, Buhl, Eveleth and Virginia,” Jankila said. “Also on scene were St. Louis County Sheriff's, Minnesota State Patrol, Cherry Fire/First Responders and several first responders.”

The crash is being investigated.