Semi hits school bus from Hope Christian, injuring 20
Troopers had gotten reports on erratic truck
A school bus carrying students from HOPE Semper Christian School in Milwaukee to a day trip at Wisconsin Dells was struck by a semi Wednesday, injuring 20 people aboard the bus, four of them seriously, according to the Wisconsin State Patrol.
The state patrol had been attempting to locate the semi at the time of the crash after 911 callers reported its operator was driving erratically, Sgt. Greg Jenswold, of the State Patrol in DeForest, said.
None of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening, according to Jenswold.
HOPE Christian officials confirmed Wednesday afternoon that the bus was carrying students from the school on a field trip.
HOPE Semper, 3040 W. Capitol Drive, serves students from 4-year-old kindergarten through eighth grades, according to its website.
“While very scary, our staff and students were blessed by urgent first responders, local medical attention as well as the kindness and generosity of DeForest Public Schools,” school officials said on the school’s Facebook page.
“Please keep our Semper scholars in your prayers for quick recovery and safe travels to reunite with loved ones.”
According to Jenswold and a state patrol news release: The crash was reported shortly before 10:30 a.m. on northbound I-39 near DeForest when the semi struck the rear of the bus, which had pulled over to the side of the road after losing power.
A total of 33 people were aboard the bus, including five chaperones and the driver; not all of those injured were students.
The injured were taken to three hospitals, and two of the seriously injured were transported by helicopter.
Seven of the injured were being assessed at University of WisconsinMadison Hospitals and Clinics and two were being treated at UW-Health at The American Center with injuries that “are not critical,” hospital spokeswoman Lisa Brunette said.
The truck is owned by Dahl Trucking of Langdon, N.D.; the driver did not appear to be injured, Jenswold said.