Knoxville TN bus crash - Tennessee authorities say at least three people have been killed after two school buses collided in Knoxville.
According to local reports, the Knoxviille TN bus crash happened on Tuesday afternoon just before 3 p.m. while the buses, which are from the Chilhowee Intermediate School and Sunnyview Primary School, were transporting students.
The victims of the Knoxville TN bus crash include one adult and two young children, who have been confirmed dead. The adult victim of the crash has been identified as Kim Riddle, who was a teacher's aide and youth minister at the Mount Calvary Baptist Church.
However, the identities of the deceased children have not been released. Officers however say the deceased little girls were from Sunnyview; in kindergarten and the third grade respectively.
"This is an unspeakable tragedy," Knox County Schools Superintendent Jim McIntyre said. "We lost some members of our Knox County Schools family, some of our youngest children."
The tragic Knoxville bus crash happened just east of Gov. John Sevier Highway. While the Chilhowee Intermediate School bus made a sharp swerve across the east bound lanes of Asheville Highway. It collided with the oncoming Sunnyview Primary school bus, which was knocked to it's side.
Knoxville Police say three people, who sustained serious injuries in the Knoxville TN bus crash, were rushed to the University of Tennessee Medical Center. They are reportedly all in a stable condition.
Additionally, about 20 students were transported to the East Tennessee Children's Hospital with minor injuries. Reports indicate that as of Tuesday night all 20 students had been discharged.
Tennessee Highway Patrol has opened an investigation into what may have caused the tragic Knoxville bus crash. Some commentators say it was drizzling with the accident occurred. Knox County Schools have announced that there will be no school for students of both Sunnyview Primary and Chilhowee Intermediate for Wednesday.
Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch, who was present at the scene of the Knoxville bus crash, described it as tragic. He said rescue agencies and members of the community were assisting authorities. "It's a horrible tragedy- our heart go out to the families who have lost loved ones today," Rausch said.
A resident, who works at an auto parts shop near the scene of the Knoxville bus crash, said she witnessed the aftermath of the accident. "I saw people running toward the bus. I saw all the kids being rushed off the bus," Karla Corona said. "It was all very emotional."
The Knoxville TN bus crash has left students and the local community shaken. Reports indicate grief counselors, social workers and volunteers have already began meeting and counseling students who were involved in the Knoxville bus crash.
