SCHOOL BUS CRASH NEAR SALYERSVILLE, KY., IN MAGOFFIN COUNTY, DURING MONDAY MORNING NOVEMBER 14. Photos various sources

The Kentucky State Police is continuing their investigations into a brutal school bus crash that took place in Magoffin County during the middle of Monday morning, that although as horrendous as the wreck carnage was, fortunately there were no fatalities; but maybe for the moment though, as there were several critical and serious injured in the single vehicle accident.

The Kentucky State Police and Magoffin County Emergency Management officials confirmed to regional and statewide media outlets that there was a school bus accident Monday morning. According to their initial information, the crash happened around 7:20 A.M., on Route 40 near Tackett Bottom, around three miles east from Salyersville, in Magoffin County.

In a Monday afternoon news conference with Magoffin County Judge-Executive Matt Wireman, Magoffin County Superintendent Chris Meadows, and Kentucky State Police Post 9-Pikeville Public Affairs Officer Trooper Matt Coleman, they revealed more details about the school bus crash.

Their initial reports indicated the school bus, identified as school bus #2030, which was carrying students, was traveling towards Salyersville when the school bus dropped off the pavement and into a ditch, then re-entered the roadway.

The driver of the bus appeared to have overcorrected, crossed both lanes of traffic, then went over an embankment, striking a utility pole, before coming to a final rest on the passenger side.

Officials reported that the female driver was ejected and was partially pinned under the bus.

All of the 18 students, ranging in ages from Elementary, Middle, and High School, were on the school bus at the time of the crash; and all of the students were injured with various degrees of medical calamities, along with the driver.

Officials say multiple medical helicopters were used to transport three of the injured students and the injured driver to area trauma centers, while others were transported by ambulance to local hospitals.

Emergency first responders from Magoffin County received help from several neighboring counties. all converging on the wreck scene.

During the Monday afternoon press conference, KSP Post 9 Pikeville Public Affairs Officer, Trooper Matt Coleman, stated that KSP troopers were notified of the crash off of KY-40 at about 7:21 A.M. Monday morning. 

Their initial investigation indicates that the bus was driving westbound when it ran off an embankment with 18 students and the driver on board. The students ranged from elementary aged to high school age and injuries ranged from minor to critical. Most students were taken to ARH Paul D. Hall in Paintsville, and Pikeville Medical Center.

Trooper Coleman said in the news conference that the initial investigation indicates the school bus was traveling westbound on Kentucky Route 40 when it edited the roadway and went over an embankment. The driver and 18 children ranging from elementary, middle, and high school were all on the bus at the time of collision.

Magoffin County Superintendent Chris Meadows also spoke at the news conference, “This is not something you ever want to deal with as a school personnel. Those kids come to us, and they become our kids, and to see that and deal with that it’s a tough part of the business,” he said.

Superintendent Meadows said there would be counselors available to students all week if students need to talk to someone.

This major accident involving such a large number of kids comes after an earlier vehicle accident last week in Magoffin Co.  had left a 15 year old girl and 4 year old dead, and a 15 year old boy, who was driving, in critical condition.

On Saturday, November 5, just after 7 P.M., a single crash happened along KY Route 7 in Salyersville.

According to the Kentucky State Police, a 2018 Polaris UTV exited the roadway, went over an embankment, and struck a tree. The 15-year-old male juvenile driver was taken to a medical facility and was listed in critical condition.

Another 15-year-old juvenile, who was a passenger, a female, was pronounced deceased on scene by the Magoffin County Coroner’s Office, for whom deputy coroner Brian Parker identified as Angelica Rife.

A 4-year-old juvenile, identified as Branston Hill, was transported to a nearby hospital where he later succumbed to injuries sustained during the collision. Officials reported that the boy was the nephew of Angelica Rife.

Classes at Magoffin County High School were canceled last week so that students could pay respects to their fallen classmate and her very young nephew.