In what was meant to be an idyllic school activity, a seemingly peaceful apple orchard became the setting for an accident that left multiple people, including elementary school children injured. On a Wednesday morning at Bushel and a Peck Market near Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, two hay wagons upended during a field trip, invoking a scene of urgent medical attention and concern for the safety of the young students from St. Mark Lutheran School in Eau Claire, according to WISN.
The Chippewa County Sheriff's Office reported at least 25 injured after the wagon, carrying 4K and 5K students along with chaperones, tipped while navigating downhill. Among these, three were identified with life-threatening injuries, and five others with serious conditions. Officials on site initiated mass casualty protocol, which included alerting local EMS and hospitals, as reported by TMJ4.
Deputy Chief Corey Jeffers of the Chippewa Fire District managed the first response and shared that they adopted a mass casualty approach upon arrival. In a careful balance of urgency and compassion, families were gradually reunited with their children, aided by adults having each child's contact information ready. All injured individuals were accounted for, with nine transported by ambulance, one by helicopter, and others in personal vehicles, according to statements from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Following the incident, Sheriff Travis Hakes commended the courage of the children and chaperones, stating, "The children were extremely brave, very resilient. ... I'm very proud of those kiddos and the chaperones."
