Leander ISD Bus Overturns Near Austin, Hospitalizing 12

A Leander Independent School District school bus carrying 42 elementary-school students and its driver rolled onto its side on Nameless Road, a rural route about 25 miles north-west of downtown Austin, at about 3:15 p.m. Wednesday—the district’s first day of classes. Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services said 12 people, including nine children and the driver, were taken to hospitals. One child suffered life-threatening injuries and two others were in potentially life-threatening condition; the remaining patients had non-critical injuries. Emergency responders deployed six ambulances, two Travis County ESD units and two STAR Flight helicopters. The uninjured students were moved to a nearby church for reunification with families. Authorities said a preliminary investigation indicates the 2024 Blue Bird bus veered off the right side of a gentle curve before overturning; the cause remains under review. Officials did not immediately say how many occupants were wearing seatbelts. Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and district officials are inspecting the vehicle and interviewing witnesses. The crash follows recent flooding that already disrupted the district’s operations, Superintendent Bruce Gearing said, pledging support for affected families.