JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Four local students were sent to the hospital after a school bus was rear-ended by a semi-truck in North Jacksonville.
That bus was taking roughly 30 students from San Pablo Elementary on a field trip to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.
Axia Booker was waiting at the Jacksonville Zoo for her six-year-old daughter Ava Thursday morning when she got news no mother wants to hear - the bus carrying her daughter was involved in an accident.
“I was like freaking out,” Booker said.
Booker then saw a video posted on social media showing the immediate aftermath of the crash, which involved a semi truck and a Durham school bus.
“So we immediately all drove here to make sure our kids were okay,” Booker said.
When Action News Jax arrived on scene, the bus and semi truck had been moved off the main roadway.
The back of the bus was crushed to the point where some of the rear seats had been damaged.
According to School Board Member April Carney (District 2), teachers on a second bus following behind helped assist after the crash.
Duval County Public Schools announced the accident sent four children to the hospital, but did not provide details on the severity of their injuries.
In a statement sent to parents, San Pablo Elementary Principal JJ Brown noted she is in contact with the parents of the students who required medical transport.
“While I’m unable to share specific medical details, I am encouraged by the updates I’ve received regarding their condition and recovery. Please continue to keep these students and families in your thoughts,” said Brown in the message to parents.
A spokesperson from Durham School Services issued a statement on the crash Thursday afternoon.
“Our concern remains with the safety of our students, and our thoughts are with the students and passengers that were impacted by the incident. We are fully cooperating with local authorities,” said the Durham spokesperson.
DCPS Chief Operating Officer Jame Colbert said this is the worst school bus accident he’s seen in his 27 years working for the district.
Ava was shaken up, but thankfully unharmed.
“She went forward and hit her head on the window, but she was fine. She said she was crying for me, but other than that she seems to be doing okay,” Booker said.
Some parents, like Axia, were able to reunite with their children at the scene, but the decision was made to transport students back to San Pablo Elementary for reunification.
Booker and her daughter were eager to get home and put the chaos of the morning behind them.
“We’re gonna make sure she’s good, comfort her, play video games and just keep checking in on her,” Booker said.
The truck involved in the accident had a Universal logo on it.
We reached out to a local logistics company with the same name for comment and are waiting to hear back.
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