Injured passengers in fatal pickup-bus crash in North Dakota brought to Altru; 100 or more Altru staff assist
Sep. 14—GRAND FORKS — In the wake of a fatal crash between a pickup truck and a school bus in northeast North Dakota, it's believed that all of those who were injured were brought to Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, prompting an emergency response at the hospital that required the efforts of 100 or more staff members.
The driver of the pickup died in the incident, and an unknown number of students on the bus were injured.
During a news conference Thursday evening — approximately four hours after the crash occurred near Petersburg— Dr. Christopher Boe told members of the media that some of those who were injured are relatives of Altru caregivers.
"This one really hit home," he said.
Not many other new details were given during the news conference, which was held across the street from Altru.
The crash occurred at approximately 3:45 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, on Highway 32, about six miles south of Petersburg, or about 45 miles west of Grand Forks.
According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol, a bus carrying members of the Hatton-Northwood High School volleyball team was northbound on Highway 32 when it collided with a westbound pickup at the road's intersection with Nelson County Road 4. The school bus rolled, and both the bus and SUV ended up in water on the side of the road. The driver of the pickup died at the scene, the Highway Patrol said.
Multiple ambulances and helicopters then began transporting injured bus passengers.
"The volleyball bus heading to Petersburg was in an accident," read an alert sent out by the Hatton-Northwood school. "The games will be postponed. All students will be sent home with parents or brought back to the Northwood School."
The hospital issued the following statement at approximately 6:20 p.m.: "Altru is caring for patients in our Emergency Department who were involved in a traffic incident. During this response, we remain ready to care for all patients who need emergent care and encourage those seeking care to continue as planned. Any inquiries related to the traffic incident should be directed to the North Dakota Highway Patrol for updates."
The press conference began at approximately 7:30 p.m. in a parking lot across Columbia Road from Altru.
During the briefing, Lt. Ryan Panasuk said he believes all involved were treated at Altru. No updates were given on the severity of the students' injuries, or how many students were injured. Although the Highway Patrol may provide updates throughout the weekend, Panasuk said the investigation could take weeks, or even months, to complete. The highway was closed at the site of the crash Thursday evening but was expected to reopen by Friday morning.
At Altru, Boe called it a "mass-casualty event" — a term used to describe any type of all-hands-on-deck effort at the hospital. He said there weren't actual "mass casualties," however.
He said the crash and resulting response was larger than but
reminiscent of a bus-train crash that occurred in Larimore
in January 2015.
At the hospital, about a dozen ambulances were lined up outside the emergency room with police from multiple agencies directing traffic away from the area. Family members waited for news in the parking lot, but as of about 6:40 p.m., information seemed scant and people gathered there were unwilling to be identified.
"I just heard my sister's been in an accident," one woman told the Herald.
Nearby, a group of people were comforting a distraught parent.
"Emotions are running high," said one Northwood community member.
