Schools
Update: Loose Power Line Hits School Bus, No Injuries Reported
A vehicle slide off of Ridge Road late Friday afternoon and hit an electrical pole, causing a power line to come loose and hit a Rockwood school bus that was traveling behind it.
Updated 6:14 p.m.: Authorities are reporting there were no injuries as a result of an accident this afternoon on Ridge Road in Ellisville that involved a live power line and a Rockwood School District-related school bus.
At around 3:26 p.m. Friday, a vehicle traveling in the 700 block of Ridge Rd. slid off the road and hit an electrical pole. The impact caused a power line to come loose, which swung and hit a Rockwood school bus from the nearby Ridge Meadows Elementary School, according to Metro West Fire Department Public Officer Michael Thiemann.
Thiemann said the power line arced when it made contact with the bus, but the driver was able to pull away to safety. The bus did have children in at the time, but there are no reports of injuries. In fact, Thiemann said the driver was able to continue on his route.
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A report from the St. Louis County Police Department-Wildwood (6th) Precinct, who also responded to the accident, indicated that weather conditions were likely to blame for the vehicle’s loss of control and said the driver did not suffer any injuries.
Original story: The road in front of Ridge Meadows Elementary School is closed due to an accident that occured this afternoon, according to an announcement on the school's website.
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The school currently is without power and phones. Visitors are able to access the school via Old State Road.
Principal Amy Digman shared that most parents have arrived and picked up their children. Buses have been dismissed and students are safely on their way home, she reports.
Parents may expect buses to arrive later than their usual schedule, however.
A First Student bus—No. 96—carrying Eureka High School students was behind the vehicle that struck the pole. Gina Tarte, Rockwood School District spokesperson, said they do not have any reports of injured Eureka students, but the bus likely is delayed in its route.
St. Louis County Police Department-Wildwood (6th) Precinct officers are handling the accident.
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