Six Rockford students injured in bus accident
From Staff ReportsOriginally published: April 10. 2008 3:01AM
Last modified: April 10. 2008 12:17AM
Six Rockford Elementary School students were taken to Blount Memorial Hospital Wednesday after a two-vehicle accident involving a bus they were riding on.
The 1987 International bus, driven by Joe Carroll Bell, 74, an employee of Boys and Girls Club, pulled out of Rockford Elementary School at about 3:30 p.m., and turned south onto Williams Mill Road, according to information from the Blount County Sheriff's Office. When Bell made the turn, he reportedly struck a 2008 Nissan Versa on the driver's side rear bumper. The Versa, which was traveling south on Williams Mill Road, was driven by Anthony Michael Lippert, 21, Knoxville. There were no passengers in Lippert's vehicle, and authorities believe he was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident.
The bus, which was full of children, was on its way to the Boys and Girls Club in Maryville, according to a BCSO release.
Six children, ranging in age from 9 to 11, complained of neck pain from the accident. They were all taken by Rural/Metro Ambulance Service to Blount Memorial Hospital. The six students were still at BMH for observation shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday. No other injuries were reported in conjunction with the accident.
After the accident, another Boys and Girls Club bus came to the scene to pick up and transport the remaining children.
The Blount County Fire Department, Blount County Sheriff's Office, and a Tennessee Highway Patrol bus inspector responded to the scene.
Bell was cited with failure to yield.