A school bus carrying nearly 40 students flipped over onto its roof in central Florida on Monday morning, killing two people — including a 10th grade girl — and injuring several others, authorities said.
The crash happened near Winter Haven, a city in Polk County, when an oncoming car crossed the center line and struck the bus. The bus was headed to Winter Haven High School when the collision occurred.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd addressed the tragedy at a morning news conference, calling it “a horrible crash” and saying it was “a terrible tragic morning.” His remarks set the tone for the day’s events. He did not provide further details about the other victims or the circumstances of the crash beyond what he shared at the news conference.
The Crash in Central Florida
The bus was carrying students to Winter Haven High School when the collision happened. Nearly 40 people were on board, according to Sheriff Judd.
The oncoming vehicle crossed the center line, striking the bus and causing it to flip over onto its roof. The crash involved multiple vehicles, which is why it was described as a multivehicle crash.
Sheriff Judd’s description of the morning as “terrible tragic” reflects the gravity of the situation. He did not specify what remains unknown.
What Happened on the Road
The sequence of events, as understood from the available information:
- The school bus was traveling to Winter Haven High School.
- An oncoming car crossed the center line.
- The collision caused the bus to flip over onto its roof.
- Two people were killed, including the 10th grade girl.
- Several others were injured.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the second victim, nor have they provided details about the driver of the oncoming vehicle or any passengers in other cars involved in the crash.
The Response from Authorities
Sheriff Judd’s statement at the news conference was brief but pointed. His words carried the weight of the moment.
“It was a horrible crash,” Judd said. “It was a terrible tragic morning.”
Those remarks suggest the investigation is ongoing, though he did not specify what remains unknown.
The Facts So Far
The facts are still emerging, and the investigation continues. Here is what has been established:
| Detail | Known |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Winter Haven, Polk County, Florida |
| Direction | School bus heading to Winter Haven High School |
| Cause | Oncoming car crossed the center line |
| Result | Bus flipped over onto its roof |
| Fatalities | Two people, including a 10th grade girl |
| Injuries | Several others |
| Occupants | Nearly 40 people on the bus |
The timeline of events is straightforward, but the human cost is not. A 10th grade girl was among those killed, and her classmates were witnesses to the crash.
The grief felt by her family, friends and classmates is immeasurable. The community will need time to process what happened.
The Aftermath
The crash has left a community grappling with loss. The families of the victims will need support as they mourn.
This is a developing story, and more information is expected to emerge as investigators continue their work. The sheriff’s office has not said when updates will be provided.
For now, the community is left with the memory of a terrible morning. A school bus, a multivehicle crash, a 10th grade girl, and a community changed forever.
The sheriff’s office has not said when updates will be provided. For now, the community waits, and the memory of that terrible morning lingers.
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