Update: No injuries reported after school bus involved in crash on U.S. Highway 12 in Kandiyohi, Minnesota

Kelly Boldan, Linda Vanderwerf, West Central Tribune, Willmar, Minn.
·2 min read

Sep. 12—Editor's note: This story has been updated twice since original publication with additional details from the Willmar School District, including that no students were injured.

KANDIYOHI

— No one was injured when a pickup truck rear-ended a Palmer Bus Service school bus Monday morning in Kandiyohi.

The crash occurred about 8 a.m. on the east side of Kandiyohi on U.S. Highway 12. The bus appeared to have been struck in the right rear by a pickup truck owned by Fairfield Equipment of Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Palmer Bus is one of two companies that drive for Willmar Public Schools. Penny Dahlberg, manager of Palmer Bus, could not be reached Monday morning.

Willmar Superintendent Jeff Holm said he got a call about the crash around 8 a.m. Later Monday he said there were seven students on the bus when it was struck.

Another bus was sent to pick up the children and complete the route, Holm said. Neither the bus nor the other vehicle involved in the crash could be moved until the Minnesota State Patrol arrived to examine the scene.

Lakeland Elementary School Principal Gretchen Baumgarn notified him that the students had arrived safely at the school, Holm said.

"We're always glad when everyone walks away unharmed," he said, and the safety of students going to and from school is always a concern.

"We're really grateful to work with the bus companies we have, because they do place a high value on safety," he said.

Single-lane traffic was being routed past the accident scene by Kandiyohi Fire Department personnel at about 8 a.m. Monday.

Kandiyohi County Fire Department, Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office and Atwater Ambulance also responded to the scene.

The original story published just after 9:30 a.m. Monday is below.

KANDIYOHI

— A Palmer Bus Service school bus and a pickup were involved in a crash Monday morning on U.S. Highway 12 on the east side of Kandiyohi.

The school bus appeared to be struck in the right rear section by a pickup truck owned by Fairfield Equipment of Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Single-lane traffic was being routed past the accident scene by Kandiyohi Fire Department personnel at about 8 a.m. Monday.

Agencies responding included the Kandiyohi County Fire Department, Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office and Atwater Ambulance units.

Further details were not immediately available. Follow wctrib.com for more on this developing story.