Ohio high school bus crash: Three students among six dead in ‘mass casualty incident’ – latest
Three students of the Tuscarawas Valley High School died in the bus crash on Tuesday, the school district superintendent has confirmed. The teenagers – Katelyn Owens, 15, Jeffery Worrell, 18, and John Mosely, 18 – were killed in the tragic incident, along with a high school teacher and two parent chaperones, Dr Derek Varansky told those gathered at a vigil at the Tuscarawas High School on Tuesday evening. Dave Kennat, 56, Kristy Gaynor, 39, and Shannon Wigfield, 45, were also killed in the crash.
Of the 20 students who were transported to the hospital following the incident, 18 have now been released. Two remain in hospital with “serious but non-life threatening” injuries. “There are no words for the sheer magnitude of loss and grief felt by all of us,” Dr Varansky said.
The crash occurred around 8.15am. Those injured were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. The bus was carrying 57 band students from Tuscarawas Valley Schools, located approximately 120 miles northeast of Columbus[1] and around 43 miles south of Akron.
The accident shut down parts of I-70 at State Route 310 and westbound at State Route 158.
Key points
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Three dead and 15 injured in Ohio bus crash involving high schoolers
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Prayer vigil held at Tuscarawas Valley High School
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Three students among the six dead following Ohio bus crash
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All six victims of Ohio bus crash identified
In pictures: Vigil held for victims of Ohio bush crash that killed 6
10:38 , Martha Mchardy
Derek Varansky, superintendent of Tuscarawas Valley School, speaks during a community prayer vigil, Tuesday, Nov.
14, 2023, at the football stadium in Zoarville, Ohio. (AP)
People embrace during a community prayer vigil after a bus crash in Ohio (AP)
Signs in support of the Tusky Valley Schools community can be seen in front of the elementary school shortly before a community prayer vigil after Ohio bus crash (AP)
Governor orders flags to be flown at half-mast following crash
09:00 , Mike Bedigan Governor Mike DeWine of Ohio has ordered Tuscarawas County government buildings and the Ohio Statehouse to fly their flags at half mast in the wake of a fatal accident involving several vehicles, including a bus full of high school band students. Mr DeWine said “It is our worst nightmare to have a bus full of children involved in such a terrible crash, and it is certainly the worst nightmare that families and schools can endure” in a post on X/Twitter on Tuesday.
Story continues
Pictures from the scene of the Ohio bus crash
07:00 , Mike Bedigan
(AP)
(AP)
(AP)
(AP)
Full statement from the Ohio Highway Patrol
05:01 , Mike Bedigan The Granville Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash involving a charter bus, two commercial vehicles and two passenger vehicles in Etna Township, Licking County. The crash occurred on Interstate 70 near state Route 310 at 8:52 a.m.
At this time, the investigation has revealed the vehicles were all traveling westbound on I-70 when the chain-reaction crash occurred. At least three of the vehicles subsequently caught fire as a result of the crash. The charter bus was occupied by a driver and 54 students and chaperones from Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools.
Three of the passengers on the bus were pronounced deceased at the scene. The deceased were identified as John W. Mosely, 18, Mineral City, Jeffery D.
Worrell, 18, Bolivar, and Katelyn N. Owens, 15, Mineral City. A total of 15 students and the bus driver were transported to area hospitals.
The remaining students were taken to a reunification site. One of the passenger vehicles was occupied by three individuals. All three were pronounced deceased at the scene.
The deceased were identified as Dave Kennat, 56, Navarre, Kristy Gaynor, 39, Zoar, and Shannon Wigfield, 45, Bolivar. Of the two commercial vehicles involved, one driver was transported to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. The other was treated and released at the scene.
The driver of the second passenger vehicle was also transported to an area hospital. The crash remains under investigation. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact the Ohio State Highway Patrol at (614) 466-2660.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted by and would like to thank Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp and Licking County deputies, Tuscarawas Sheriff Orvis Campbell and Tuscarawas County deputies, West Licking Fire Department and EMS, Licking County Coroner’s Office, Jae’s Towing, Ohio Department of Transportation, and multiple other agencies.
Footage shows severely damaged bus being towed from crash scene
03:00 , Mike Bedigan
Crews from the Ohio Department of Transportation cleaning crash scene
02:15 , Mike Bedigan Crews from the Ohio Department of Transportation cleaning crash scene. The department said that, while the east bound section of the highway had been repopened, the west bound lanes would remain closed while pavements were repaired.
LICKING CO: Crews are cleaning up the crash scene on westbound I-70 east of SR 310. Westbound will remain closed while pavement damage is repaired. Eastbound has now reopened. pic.twitter.com/wv2a5OBXC9[2]
— Ohio Dept of Transportation (@ODOT_Statewide) November 14, 2023[3]
Students join hands and walk across football field at prayer vigil
00:58 , Mike Bedigan Following the conclusion of the vigil, students joined hands and walked across the football field. Many could be heard sobbing loudly.
Victims of Ohio bus crash identified
00:44 , Mike Bedigan
A 15-year old student was one of the six people that was killed in the bus crash. School district superintendent Dr Derek Varansky named the victims in a vigil held at the Tuscarawas High School on Tuesday evening. Three teenagers – Katelyn Owens, 15, Jeffery Worrell, 18, and John Mosely, 18 – were among the dead.
High school teacher Dave Kennat, 56, and parent chaperones Kristy Gaynor, 39, and Shannon Wigfield, 45, were also killed in the incident, Dr Varansky said.
Three students among the dead following Ohio bus crash – school confirms
00:35 , Mike Bedigan Three students of the Tuscarawas Valley High School died in the bus crash on Tuesday, a the school district superintendent has confirmed. It was also confirmed that one teacher and two parent chaperones had also died.
Of the 20 students that were transported to hospital following the incident, 18 have now been released. Two remain in hospital with “serious but non-life threatening” injuries. “Our hearts are broken for the tragic accident that happened today involving members of our high school band on their way to perform at the Ohio civil Association Conference,” Dr Derek Varansky said, addressing the vigil.
“We are saddened to share that we lost three students in the accident. Students who were bright lights full of life and who lost their lives way too young. “In addition, a car following the bus, which contained one of our teachers in two parents chaperones were involved in the accident.
And tragically all three lost their lives. “There are no words for the sheer magnitude of loss in grief felt by all of us.”
Images from prayer vigil following Ohio bus crash
00:13 , Mike Bedigan
(WKYC Channel 3)
(WKYC Channel 3)
Hundreds gather at local football stadium for prayer vigil
00:07 , Mike Bedigan Hundreds of people gathered at the Tuscarawas Valley High School football stadium on Tuesday night for a prayer vigil in honour of the victims of the bus crash and their families.
Band students from the Tuscarawas Valley School district were onboard the bus that was involved in the fatal accident. Six candles were placed on a tressel table in front of the bleachers. Authorities have confirmed that six people have died in the tragic accident.
Ohio congressman sends prayers to victims of crash
Tuesday 14 November 2023 23:54 , Mike Bedigan
Congressman Troy Balderson, of Ohio’s 12th Congressional District, added his condolences to the victims of the crash. “I am devastated to hear about the terrible crash on I-70 involving a semitruck and a bus carrying students. My prayers are with all those involved, and I will continue to closely monitor the situation,” Mr Balderson wrote on X.
I am devastated to hear about the terrible crash on I-70 involving a semitruck and a bus carrying students. My prayers are with all those involved, and I will continue to closely monitor the situation. — Congressman Troy Balderson (@RepBalderson) November 14, 2023[4]
GoFundMe page set up to support crash victims and their families
Tuesday 14 November 2023 23:33 , Mike Bedigan
A GoFundMe page[5], set up by local business owner in Bolivar, Ohio, has raised over £3,000 in just four hours. The page, set up by Tara Risner – owner of Haven Shala – is raising funds to support the families of the crash. “Today our community is devastated after the fatal accident involving Tusky Valley Band students, chaperones, & faculty.Our hearts are so heavy,” the page description read.
“We send our love & support to the victims and families of all who were involved. Please support our community, and donate towards recovery efforts. All proceeds will go toward the Tusky Valley Band & families.”
‘I’m sick to my stomach’ – locals react to crash news
Tuesday 14 November 2023 23:01 , Mike Bedigan
Parents expressed their shock and dismay at news of the crash as they picked up their children from the Tuscarawas Valley Middle-High School on Tuesday morning. “I’m sick. I’m sick to my stomach,” parent Laurie Fragasse told The Columbus Dispatch.
Ms Fragasse’s daughter, Camrynn, an eighth grader, said she was scared and sad. “I don’t really know how to feel right now,” she said.
Part of highway reopened while investigation continues
Tuesday 14 November 2023 22:37 , Mike Bedigan As of about 4:30 pm local time onTuesday, eastbound lanes of I-70 had reopened, while authorities continue to investigate the fatal crash. Governor Mike DeWine said that the investigation would take some time.
Matt Bruning, spokeperson for the Ohio Department of Transportation said pavement repairs would be needed on westbound lanes on the I-70 where the crash occurred because of the fire that resulted and its impact on the pavement. A construction crew is standing by to make those repairs as quickly as possible, The Columbus Dispatch reported.
Prayer vigil planned for victims of bus crash
Tuesday 14 November 2023 22:00 , Graig Graziosi A prayer vigil is being planned for the victims and the families of the victims of a fatal bus accident that ocurred outside Columbus, according to Cleveland 19.
The prayer vigil will take place at 7pm on Tuesday evening for the Tuscarawas County community. It will be held at the school district’s football stadium. Band students from the Tuscarawas Valley School district were onboard the bus that was involved in the fatal accident.
Six people have been confirmed dead in the wake of the accident, though their identities have not been made public at the time of this post.
Images from the fatal Ohio bus crash
Tuesday 14 November 2023 21:45 , Graig Graziosi
Both directions of Interstate 70 are closed in Licking County, Ohio, near the State Route 310 interchange after a fatal accident on Tuesday, Nov.
14, 2023 (AP)
Both directions of Interstate 70 are closed in Licking County, Ohio, near the State Route 310 interchange after a fatal accident on Tuesday, Nov.
14, 2023. (AP)
Bus company is ‘cooperating’ with crash investigation
Tuesday 14 November 2023 21:25 , Graig Graziosi Pioneer Trails, the company that provided the bus carrying high school students involved in the fatal crash outside Columbus, released a statement saying it was cooperating with law enforcement’s investigation. “Pioneer is fully cooperating with the authorities as we work to find the cause of the accident,” the company’s statement said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those impacted by this accident.
As this is an ongoing investigation, there will be no further comments.” According to a Columbus Dispatch analysis, the company has a satisfactory rating from the US Department of Transportation following inspections, meaning there is no evidence that the company is noncompliant with safety standards. The company’s busses have only been involved in one other accident that caused an injury in the last 24 months, according to USDOT data.
Death toll climbs to six in fiery bus crash near Columbus
Tuesday 14 November 2023 21:06 , Graig Graziosi
Local officials have told The Independent that six people have died in a crash involving semi-trucks and a charter bus filled with high school band students on their way to perform at a conference. Licking County Emergency management director Sean Grady confirmed to The Independent that six people have died as a result of the crash on Tuesday. At least four vehicles were involved in the crash.
It is unclear if those killed were from the bus or were other motorists involved in the incident.