Ohio bus crash cause probed after six killed and 18 injured: Updates

The bus, carrying students from the Tuscarawas Valley High School, crashed on an Ohio highway just east of Columbus

Smoke rises from wreckage of Ohio bus crash that killed four, injured 15

Investigators have said that they have gathered “conflicting information” about the cause of a deadly crash involving a school bus travelling along a highway in Ohio on Tuesday.

Three Tuscarawas Valley High School students – Katelyn Owens, 15, Jeffery Worrell, 18, and John Mosely, 18 – died along with a high school teacher and two parent chaperones – Dave Kennat, 56, Kristy Gaynor, 39, and Shannon Wigfield, 45 – when five vehicles were involved in a pile-up on the I-70.

Another 20 students were transported to the hospital following the incident.

The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation to determine how the crash unfolded.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said in a press conference on Wednesday that “conflicting information” had come to light about the cause.

She also warned that “we have a public health crisis on our roads”. “We need all hands on deck,” she said.

The bus was carrying 57 band students from Tuscarawas Valley Schools, located approximately 120 miles northeast of Columbus and around 43 miles south of Akron, when tragedy struck.

Key points

• Three dead and 15 injured in Ohio bus crash involving high schoolers
• Prayer vigil held at Tuscarawas Valley High School
• Three students among the six dead following Ohio bus crash
• All six victims of Ohio bus crash identified

[15 November 2023 07:00 · Mike Bedigan]

Pictures from the scene of the Ohio bus crash

(AP)

(AP)

(AP)

(AP)

[15 November 2023 09:00 · Mike Bedigan]

Governor orders flags to be flown at half-mast following crash

Governor Mike DeWine of Ohio has ordered Tuscarawas County government buildings and the Ohio Statehouse to fly their flags at half mast in the wake of a fatal accident involving several vehicles, including a bus full of high school band students.

Mr DeWine said “It is our worst nightmare to have a bus full of children involved in such a terrible crash, and it is certainly the worst nightmare that families and schools can endure” in a post on X/Twitter on Tuesday.

[15 November 2023 10:38 · Martha Mchardy]

In pictures: Vigil held for victims of Ohio bush crash that killed 6

Derek Varansky, superintendent of Tuscarawas Valley School, speaks during a community prayer vigil, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, at the football stadium in Zoarville, Ohio. (AP)

People embrace during a community prayer vigil after a bus crash in Ohio (AP)

Signs in support of the Tusky Valley Schools community can be seen in front of the elementary school shortly before a community prayer vigil after Ohio bus crash (AP)

[15 November 2023 11:00 · Mike Bedigan]

Six reported dead in Ohio high school bus crash

Six people have been confirmed dead – including three teenage students – following a serious bus crash in Ohio.

Fifteen others were left injured after a charter bus carrying high school band students collided with a semi-truck near to the city of Columbus on Tuesday morning.

A vigil in honour of the victims, which also included a school teacher and two parent chaperones, was held at the Tuscarawas High School on Tuesday evening.

Authorities say an investigation into the crash is ongoing.

Michelle Del Rey has the full story.

[15 November 2023 11:15 · Martha Mchardy]

Hundreds gather a vigil to mourn six killed in Ohio bus crash

Hundreds gathered at the Tuscarawas Valley School District football stadium for a vigil on Tuesday for the six victims of an Ohio bush crash.

Three teenagers – Katelyn Owens, 15, Jeffery Worrell, 18, and John Mosely, 18 – were killed in the tragic incident, along with a high school teacher and two parent chaperones.

The students and chaperones were on their way to an Ohio School Boards Association conference in Columbus. The high school band was scheduled to perform at the conference.

Derek Varansky, the school district superintendent, called it the “worst day of his life,” as he addressed the vigil on Tuesday.

He added that the students who passed away were “bright lights, full of life and they lost their lives way too young.”

Meanwhile, Aaron Rae, pastor of the Bolivar Community Church, said he spent the afternoon with a boy from his church whose mother died in the crash.

“His innocence, his rose-colored glasses that he had of this world were removed when he sat in the living room and heard his dad share the news that Mom would not be coming home anymore. And that’s the news your students heard this morning,” he said.

“In Tusky Valley, even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death this evening, I’m encourage that you’ve come to love on each other,” he added.

Six candles were lit at the vigil, one for each of the victims.

[15 November 2023 11:40 · Martha Mchardy]

Watch: Smoke rises from wreckage of Ohio bus crash that killed six and injured 20

[15 November 2023 12:00 · Martha Mchardy]

All but two of the injured students discharged from hospital

Some 18 students who were injured in an Ohio bus crash have been discharged from hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

A bus carrying students, teachers and parent chaperones was on its way to an Ohio School Boards Association conference in Columbus on Tuesday when it crashed, killing six people and injuring another 20 students.

Three teenagers – Katelyn Owens, 15, Jeffery Worrell, 18, and John Mosely, 18 – were killed in the tragic incident, along with a high school teacher and two parent chaperones.

[15 November 2023 12:20 · Martha Mchardy]

Watch: Hundreds attend vigil at local high school to honour victims of Ohio bus crash

[15 November 2023 12:40 · Martha Mchardy]

Victims of Ohio bus crash identified

A 15-year old student was one of the six people that was killed in the bus crash.

School district superintendent Dr Derek Varansky named the victims in a vigil held at the Tuscarawas High School on Tuesday evening.

Three teenagers – Katelyn Owens, 15, Jeffery Worrell, 18, and John Mosely, 18 – were among the dead.

High school teacher Dave Kennat, 56, and parent chaperones Kristy Gaynor, 39, and Shannon Wigfield, 45, were also killed in the incident, Dr Varansky said.

[15 November 2023 13:00 · Mike Bedigan]

Superintendent says bus crash was ‘the worst day of my life'

Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools superintendent Dr Derek Varansky said that Tuesday was “the worst day of my life”.

Adressing those gathered at a prayer vigil on Tuesday night he said: “I stand before you tonight really without the words to say in a stadium that's usually full of excitement and loud noises.

“Tonight it is silent and it's a dark day in our district.

“Today began as an exciting day as our high school band would travel to Columbus to present at the Ohio School Boards Association Conference – a once in a lifetime event.

“And then it quickly turned into the darkest day and one of the darkest days in our districts history and the worst day of my life.”