School bus collides with manure spreader near Sibley, Iowa

Nov. 16—SIBLEY — A collision involving a school bus and a tractor pulling a manure spreader occurred on Monroe Avenue, near Sibley, Iowa, around 3:59 p.m. Monday, resulting in incapacitating injuries to the school bus driver and significant damage to the bus.

Galen Ray Habben, 52, of Sibley, was driving a 2020 Thomas school bus, owned by Sibley-Ocheyedan Community School District, southbound when the crash occurred.

The bus collided with the back of a manure spreader being pulled by a 2014 John Deere tractor, driven by Gregory Allen Winkel, 50, of Ashton, Iowa. Winkel was making a turn into 1913 Monroe Ave.

The collision was attributed to reduced visibility caused by dust from the tractor, which obstructed Habben's view.

Habben sustained injuries and required extrication from the bus. He was initially transported by Sibley Ambulance to the Sibley Airport, and subsequently flown to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, by Avera Careflight. Winkel reported no injuries from the crash.

The bus was carrying 11 students. They were evaluated by emergency medical services at the scene and reported no injuries. The bus sustained approximately $15,000 in damages, while the tractor and manure spreader incurred an estimated $10,000 in damages.

The Ashton Ambulance and Sibley Fire Department also assisted at the scene.