Aliquippa, PA – A Saturday morning bus crash involving the Aliquippa Junior High School football team sent more than 20 students to hospitals after their vehicle tipped onto its side in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Authorities confirmed the accident happened around 9:55 a.m. as the team was on its way to their first game of the season against Pine Richland Middle School.
Junior High Football Team’s Season Opener Halted by Tragic Bus Accident
Economy Borough Police Chief Michael O’Brien told Newsweek that the school bus slid onto its side and became tangled in utility lines, complicating the evacuation. “The vehicle came to rest in its side, entangled with live utility wires, and was upended as students evacuate the bus,” O’Brien stated.
Students Transported to Multiple Hospitals
Emergency responders confirmed that 21 students were taken to area hospitals for treatment. One student was airlifted to Allegheny General Hospital, while two others were transported to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Additional students were evaluated at nearby medical centers. Authorities have not yet released information on the severity of the injuries.
Team Issues Statement, Community Reacts
On social media, Aliquippa Junior High Football confirmed the crash and wrote that “the team has left the scene of the earlier bus accident” before asking the community for prayers. The post assured families that each player was being evaluated.
Bus Carrying 28 People at Time of Crash
According to officials, 25 students and three adults, including the driver, were on the bus at the time of the crash. The cause remains under investigation.
Growing Concerns Over School Bus Safety
Saturday’s accident adds to a troubling year of school bus crashes across the country. In March, a Mars Area School District bus in Butler County struck a tree, killing the driver and injuring children. More recently, a rollover in Texas hospitalized several elementary students.
Federal data underscores the risks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 971 fatal school-transportation-related crashes between 2014 and 2023. Those incidents claimed 1,079 lives—an average of 108 per year—with most victims being occupants of other vehicles.
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities in Beaver County continue to examine what led to Saturday’s crash. The accident paused the new season for Aliquippa’s seventh- and eighth-grade athletes, who had just started school on Thursday. Families, school officials, and the broader community now await updates on the conditions of the injured students.
Legal Options After School Bus Accidents
When tragedy strikes on the road, families are often left with difficult questions about accountability and recovery. Following the recent Pennsylvania school bus crash that hospitalized 21 students Guy D’Andrea, an experienced accident injury lawyer, discusses the legal options available for families of children injured or killed in bus accidents.
Laurence Banville, Esq.: When a school bus crash like this happens, parents want to know what protections the law provides. What’s the first step families should consider?
Guy D’Andrea, Esq.: The immediate priority is always making sure children receive proper medical attention. Once that’s in place, families can reach out to an attorney to review what happened and determine whether negligence played a role. That may involve looking at the driver’s conduct, the condition of the bus, and even the actions of other drivers on the road.
Banville: Some parents might assume the school district handles everything. Is that the case?
D’Andrea: Not necessarily. Liability can involve multiple parties — the school district, a private bus company, the manufacturer of the bus if a defect is found, or even utility companies if hazards like live wires contribute to the crash. Each case is unique, and part of our role is identifying every party that may bear responsibility.
Banville: And what forms of legal action are typically available to injured students and their families?
D’Andrea: Families may have the right to file personal injury claims to cover medical costs, therapy, lost time from school or work, and pain and suffering. In fatal cases, wrongful death claims are possible. It’s important to act quickly because Pennsylvania law sets time limits for filing these cases.
Banville: So the legal process starts long before a courtroom?
D’Andrea: Exactly. Most cases begin with investigation, gathering reports, witness statements, and expert evaluations. Many claims are resolved through settlements, but it’s always in a family’s best interest to have someone ready to take the case further if needed.
Free Legal Consultation for Families Impacted by Bus Accidents
For families coping with the aftermath of a serious school bus crash, the challenges can feel overwhelming. Medical bills, recovery time, and unanswered questions about accountability often add to the burden. Our legal team is here to stand with you. If your child was injured or a loved one was affected in a bus accident, contact us today for a free consultation to learn your options and protect your family’s future.
Source
https://www.newsweek.com/more-20-injured-pennsylvania-school-bus-crash-what-we-know-2118225
Mr. Banville is a personal injury attorney who has experience in handling auto accidents, work injuries, medical malpractice, dog bites, slip and falls, and representing survivors and victims of sexual abuse. Mr. Banville is affiliated with law firms in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, D.C., and Maryland. Abuse Guardian
