Children injured following Glades County bus crash

MOORE HAVEN, Fla. — More than a dozen children were seriously injured Friday in a crash on U.S. 27 and State Road 29, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

The four-vehicle wreck occurred just before 8 p.m. Two semi-trucks, a passenger vehicle and a school bus were involved in the crash, according to FHP.

25 people were transported to various hospitals including Florida Hospital, Hendry Regional Hospital, Highlands Regional Hospital, and Raulerson Hospital.

The passengers on the bus were from 7th Day Adventist Church in Sunrise, Florida. There were three adults and 16 children, all of whom were transported to nearby hospitals.

Six people from the other vehicles involved were also injured.

The school bus was traveling northbound in the inside lane of U.S. 27. The driver made a u-turn and turned left onto U.S. 27 southbound and entered the path of the Inter 9400I, according to the FHP.

The Dodge Ram Pickup 2500 SLT was traveling southbound behind the Inter 9400I semi truck. The FRHT Conver semi truck was traveling southbound behind the Dodge, the FHP said.

The school bus was traveling northbound in the inside lane of U.S. 27. The driver made a u-turn and turned left onto U.S. 27 southbound and entered the path of the Inter 9400I, according to the FHP.

The driver of the Inter 9400 semi truck attempted to turn left to avoid the collision, but was unsuccessful, and hit the left rear side of the school bus, according to the FHP. In addition, While the Dodge driver slowed for the collision, the semi truck driver hit the the Dodge’s rear.

The school bus drove past the paved roadway and overturned on its left side, according to the FHP.

The Inter 9400I traveled across the median and northbound lanes of U.S. 27 before hitting a fence and bushes, the FHP said. The Dodge overturned and stopped on the shoulder of U.S. 27. The FRHT CONVER semi truck burst into flames on the U.S. 27 median, according to the FHP.

While lanes were closed Friday night, all lanes of U.S. 27 southbound have reopened, and one lane is open northbound, according to the FHP.

Charges are pending a further investigation.

No further information was immediately available.