Superintendent John Jacobs provides update on Tuesday bus crash

Randolph County Schools Superintendent John Jacobs released a statement Wednesday updating the condition of the students that were injured in the Tuesday crash that left a school bus overturned on County Road 33.

A total of 13 people – 12 students and the bus driver – were taken to Wedowee’s Tanner Medical Center from the scene via ambulance and treated for various non-life-threatening injuries. 

“Several others were transported to the same location by parents or family members,” Jacobs said in his statement.

Most of the injuries consisted of bruises and cuts.

“There were two students who received injuries severe enough for stitches, one of which was transferred to Children’s Hospital in Birmingham,” Jacobs said.

“All students and the driver, with the exception of the one transfer, were treated and released by Tanner Medical Center.”

Jacobs noted that the first responders involved were quick to the scene and came from multiple locations throughout the area.

He mentioned the Wadley Police Department, Wadley Fire Department, Corinth Fire Department, Abanda Fire Department, ALEA, Southern Ambulance Transport, Emergency Medical Transport, LaFayette Fire and Rescue, Randolph County EMA, Clay County Ambulance, Randolph County Sheriff’s Department, Randolph County Marine Police, Wedowee Police Department, students from Southern Union State Community College and Wadley mayor Donna McKay.

“All of these helped secure the scene, offered immediate first aid, kept students dry and saw to their needs,” he said.

Jacobs also praised the work of the staff at Tanner Medical Center.

“Tanner Medical Center/East Alabama, local first responders, and the Randolph County School System have held two joint mass casualty drills over the past few years. Because of these drills, our first responders, school employees, and Tanner staff were able to smoothly work together for the best outcome under the circumstances,” he said.

The bus was carrying high school students from the Randolph-Roanoke Career Tech Center in Wedowee back to Wadley High School for their end-of-day release when it left the roadway and overturned about a mile from the intersection with state Highway 22.