WASHINGTON COUNTY (KFSM) -- A dozen students had to be treated for minor injuries Monday (August 17) after a car hit a school bus just outside Springdale, according to Springdale School District officials.
The accident happened south of Arkansas Highway 412 on Sonora Road, Rick Schaeffer, spokesman for the Springdale School District, said. The bus was going northbound on Sonora Road when it started raining and a car slid into the bus's lane, hitting the bus head on, Schaeffer said.
"The little kids were saying they were hurt, and they were crying," said Devon Downs, a seventh grade student who was on the bus.
Central EMS treated about 12 students on scene. Schaeffer said the injuries were minor including some bumps, bruises and a couple cut lips, but it did not appear any students needed to be taken to a hospital.
"This is a great example of how safe school busses are," said Dana Samples, head of transportation for Springdale Schools. "The school bus is the safest mode of transportation for students, and that was proven [by the lack of severe injuries] today."
There were some parents on scene to pick up their children after police released them and another bus was called in to pick up the rest.
Monday was the first day of school for students in Springdale, Fayetteville and Rogers.