Photos: Tour Bus Flipped in Highway 35 Auto Accident

SOMERSET, WI — A bus carrying tourists from New York to Minnesota was upended in an auto accident on Highway 35 on Saturday afternoon.

On Saturday July 15, 2017 at 2:19 p.m., the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office responded to three-vehicle crash on Highway 35 at 200th Ave. in the town of Somerset.

Preliminary investigation and witness statements indicate a 2009 Pontiac Vibe, driven by Hannah R. Erickson, age 19, from Somerset, Wis. was northbound on Highway 35 and going to make a left turn to go west on 200th Ave.

Witnesses report the car stopped suddenly. A 2005 GMC Envoy driven by Mackenzie M. Marty, age 20 from Somerset was also northbound on Highway 35.

To avoid a collision, the Envoy went onto the shoulder of the road around the Vibe, over-corrected and went into the southbound lane of Highway 35.

A 2007 Van Hool tour bus, being driven by David A. Harris, age 48, from Ramsey, Minnesota was southbound on Highway 35. The Envoy struck the front left side of the bus causing the bus to go into the west ditch and overturn.

Erickson was not injured. Marty was evaluated at the scene by EMS personnel and was not transported to the hospital. Eight people of the 41 that were on the bus were transported by New Richmond EMS and Lakeview EMS to Westfields Hospital in New Richmond and Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater with non-life threatening injuries.

Assisting with this incident were the New Richmond Fire and EMS, Somerset Fire and Rescue, Somerset Police, Lakeview EMS, and the Wisconsin State Patrol.

The bus is owned by Lorenz Bus Service. The bus was traveling from Lindstrom, MN to Warwick, N.Y., as part of a tour.

The crash remains under investigation by the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office.

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image via st croix county sheriff's office