At least 3 killed, 15 injured in Ohio after semi crashes into charter bus

Authorities said at least three people are dead, and 15 others sustained injuries, after a semitrailer truck rear-ended into a charter bus carrying high school students on an Ohio interstate.

Licking County Emergency Management Agency Director Sean Grady told the Associated Press that the accident occurred Tuesday morning on Interstate 70 West in Licking County. 

The 15 injured in the accident were transported to five different hospitals in the area, where they are currently being treated. 

This comes as numerous first responders showed up at the scene of the accident, where authorities closed the interstate highway in both directions, resulting in numerous traffic delays being reported, according to the AP.

Marita Salkowski, a regional communications director for the American Red Cross of Central and Southern Ohio, said they fulfilled a request for more blood from one hospital in the area, noting that the local chapter will send 30 units of blood to a hospital in the Mount Carmel Health System.

Salkowski also told the outlet that a center was set up at a nearby United Methodist Church for passengers uninjured in the accident to go to and contact loved ones. 

Tuscarawas Valley Local School District superintendent Dr. Derek Varansky told the newswire that the charter bus, which was carrying a total of 57 people onboard, was transporting students, along with chaperones, to an Ohio School Boards Association conference in Columbus.

“We understand from law enforcement that there may be multiple serious injuries and we are working to learn the details,” Varansky said in a statement posted on the school’s Facebook page. “We will share news with you as we are able, including our plans for upcoming school days and events.”

“Right now, our focus is on getting in touch with our Tusky Valley families who had loved ones on the bus and providing support to our entire school community,”  the superintendent added. “Our Trojan family is strong, and it will take that strength and love to get throughout these coming challenging days.”

The Hill has reached out to the Licking County Emergency Management Agency for common and more information. 

The Associated Press contributed.