School bus from the Koshkonong School District crashes near Thomasville, Mo.

THOMASVILLE, Mo. (KY3) - The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating a crash involving a school bus from the Koshkonong School District.

The patrol says the driver drove off State Highway 99, north of Thomasville around 11:15 p.m. Tuesday after returning from a basketball game. The bus crossed the highway several times before it hit several trees and flipped onto its side.

The bus included students from both the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams. The patrol says one student suffered moderate injuries. Emergency crews treated 17 other students for minor injuries. Two adults also suffered injuries. Most of the injured were taken by private vehicles to Ozarks Healthcare in West Plains. Emergency crews transported one student to Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home, Ark. The bus driver wasn’t hurt. Most of the students suffered bumps, bruises, and cuts requiring stitches.

“I was the first one out of the bus and then the last one to leave,” said head basketball coach Tyler Wiggs. “Being a coach, my players were the number one priority to me. Several of my boy players were starting to get up off of each other as they had been asleep before the crash happened. The first one I helped out was my manager who was a 7th grader and then I began helping the rest of my boys and girls out while calling 911. Helped the girls coach out from the door that’s on top of the bus. Both of the doors on top had broken open and then the back door on the bus was wide open and that’s how most of the players got out.”

Superintendent Seth Bryant says protocols are being implemented. Superintendent Bryant thanked emergency personnel for their quick action in the crash. He also thanked the community for their thoughts and concerns.

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