LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. — A school bus crash that happened at about 4: 30 p.m. on Monday near Lee’s Summit West High School sent 13 Raymore-Peculiar High School volleyball players to five different area hospitals with injuries. FOX 4’s Molly Balkenbush reported from the scene that one player sustained serious injuries with broken bones, but the injuries are not considered life-threatening. Police initially said two girls were seriously injured, and updated that number later Monday night.
The accident scene was near the intersection of SW Ward Road and SW Stuart Road, SW Ward Road remains closed in both directions. Police expect the closure to last until at least 8:30 p.m. and advise drivers to avoid the area.
Ray-Pec was scheduled to play against Grandview in MSHSAA varsity district volleyball at Lee’s Summit West at 5:30 p.m. on Monday according to the high school’s website. The Lee’s Summit Police Department says that 18 girls and two coaches were on board at the time of the crash. The five girls who weren’t sent to the hospital were met by their parents.
Police say that the bus driver failed to turn into the high school, attempted to make a u-turn, and in the process was t-boned by a large truck. Besides the one seriou injury, FOX 4 has confirmed that all other injuries are considered minor. It has also been confirmed that the drivers of both the truck and school bus are okay.
