“A pretty scary deal:” 8 hurt when bus carrying adults with special needs crashed outside Fort Atkinson
Posted 8:11 am, July 8, 2016, by Madeline Anderson, Updated at 03:32pm, July 8, 2016
JEFFERSON COUNTY, WI -- Eight people were hurt when a bus for adults with special needs crashed outside Fort Atkinson on Friday morning, July 8th.
It happened around 7:15 a.m. along Highway 106 in the Town of Hebron in Jefferson County.
Everyone on the bus was hurt -- including the driver.
Rick McEndre was relieved he was able to leave Fort Memorial Hospital Friday with some good news. His fiancee owns a group home in Whitewater for people who are developmentally disabled. Their client was one of eight people on the bus that crashed along Highway 106 Friday.
"She had dislocated fingers, a pretty bad cut and some glass in her elbow -- but they were able to take care of that," McEndre said. "Hopefully the other people on the bus are OK because it`s a pretty scary deal."
Officials with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office say the bus was traveling westbound when it crossed the center line and went into a ditch -- striking a utility pole.
The bus is owned by Lavigne Bus Company -- a transportation service in Fort Atkinson for people with disabilities.
Flight for Life and Med Flight transported other victims to various hospitals in the area.
Tamara Mueller spoke with FOX6 News from Mercy Hospital in Janesville -- where her 21-year-old daughter was receiving treatment for a head wound.
"I really didn`t know anything. So all I wanted was to get the information so that we could come and see her. I just tried to keep positive," Mueller said.
Loved ones of those on board the bus said it was difficult to understand what exactly went wrong. Everyone on the bus except the driver has cognitive or physical disabilities. Many cannot communicate and use wheelchairs.
"That`s the scariest part. That`s what goes through our mind. We don`t know how long it took for anybody to get there and respond. I`m guessing most of the people that were on the bus aren`t really able to help other people too much," McEndre said.
Officials with Lavigne Bus Company declined to comment on this incident.
The bus was headed to a place called "Opportunities" in Fort Atkinson. It is a day center and work program for people with disabilities.
Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on developing story.
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Sheriff's officials said a small bus owned by La Vigne Bus Co., of Fort Atkinson, overturned and struck a utility pole along Highway 106 near Fort Atkinson Friday morning.
Updated 1 hr 29 mins ago
FORT ATKINSON, Wis. -- All eight people on a small transport bus that rolled over on a Jefferson County highway have been taken to hospitals.
Sheriff's officials said a small bus owned by La Vigne Bus Co., of Fort Atkinson, overturned and struck a utility pole along Highway 106 near Fort Atkinson Friday morning, injuring all on board.
Officials say four medical helicopters transported the injured to area hospitals. WITI-TV reports the passengers are special needs individuals who were being taken to Opportunities, a community rehabilitation program in Fort Atkinson.