We are learning more after the Aliquippa Junior High Football team was involved in a school bus accident while heading to a game to play Pine-Richland Saturday morning.
One of the 21 injured students remains in critical condition (as of Saturday afternoon) and was undergoing surgery, Aliquippa Superintendent Dr. Phillip Woods said in a release.
A total of 25 people were on the bus, including three adults and the bus driver.
Dr. Woods says the bus did not flip over, “but came to rest wedged against a hillside" after the accident on Shaffer Road in Economy Borough just before 10 a.m.
All of the injured students that were hospitalized were sent to UPMC Children’s Hospital.
One was reportedly flown to the hospital in a medical helicopter.
“The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority,” said Dr. Woods. “We are in close contact with the families involved and will be providing support through our school counselors, staff and community partners.”
All Junior High practices and games for next week are canceled and a meeting is planned for 5:30 Monday afternoon “in the Black Box” for anyone that has questions or wants to address concerns.
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The district is communicating with the bus company to get video of the incident and to get back all of the student’s belongings left on the bus.
“We would like to sincerely thank the first responders and the medical staff at UPMC Children’s Hospital for their quick, thorough, and compassionate care for our students,” Dr. Woods added.
A prayer vigil was held in Aliquippa Saturday night.