A school bus accident in Gilmer County has left five students and their bus driver with minor injuries, as reported by the Gilmer County Sheriff's Office. The incident occurred yesterday morning on White Path Road when the driver, while speaking to a child on the bus, lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer off the road, travel down an embankment, and collide with a tree. The Georgia Highway Patrol cited the driver for distracted driving in connection with the crash.
Emergency services swiftly attended to the scene, and the affected stretch of road was closed until the bus could be cleared from the area. Motorists were advised to find alternative routes during this time. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, the bus involved was a 2026 Freightliner model. The occupants of the bus, including two 5-year-olds, one 7-year-old, one 8-year-old, and a 10-year-old, were all transported to the hospital with injuries deemed minor by medical personnel.
In a statement obtained by 11Alive, the Gilmer County Schools System expressed gratitude towards the local first responders and law enforcement for their prompt response and assistance at the accident site. "Emergency personnel are on site assisting the Georgia State Patrol with the accident investigation. The GCSS would like to express our deepest appreciation for the work of our local first responders and law enforcement personnel," the statement read. As of yet, the specific school that the children attend has not been made public.
