Eddyville-Blakesburg bus has difficulty with Monday morning’s slick roads

An Eddyville-Blakesburg school bus was involved in a February 28, 2011 accident, with no major injuries reported

School was delayed 2 hours, but that was not enough time for mother nature to help out those that live on the rural gravel roads make it to their destinations.

An Eddyville-Blakesburg school bus driver, Ernest Davis, lost control of the 1999 Bluebird School Bus he was driving at around 9:56 am on February 28, 2011.

Davis, just after cresting the hill and now on the downhill grade of the road, lost control of the bus on a slick, glare of ice surface. The bus slid sideways on the roadway and then entered the East ditch.

The exit doors of the bus were pinched shut from the impact, and the driver and 15 passengers were evacuated via the emergency door at the rear of the bus. Deputies and neighbors helped the kids and driver out of the long drop to the ground by backing up a pickup truck to the rear of the bus. The people were able to drop to the truck, and then from the pickup truck to the ground.

Darian Trennel, one of the youngest riders on the bus, said a big ‘thank you’ to the deputies and the neighbors that came and helped. Darian’s older sister Kyrsten echoed that sentiment as well. Their step-dad and Uncle Don were there to help as well.  Kyrsten is hoping her driver feels well soon.

Davis was flung from his seat, during the accident, hitting his head on the door according to witnesses. Davis was transported by private vehicle to Ottumwa Regional Hospital after the accident.