No students hurt in bus accident

Monday, October 25, 2021

From: Brett Robinson, Cerro Gordo CUSD 100 Superintendent

Shortly after school dismissal today, a Birch Bus Service bus driver apparently lost control of the bus they were driving on South St in Cerro Gordo and hit a utility pole near the bank.

Thankfully, and most importantly, none of the students on the bus at the time of the accident were hurt. The safety of our students is our highest priority so we made certain none of them were hurt, though some were quite understandably shaken by the incident. The driver was attended to by first responders and then transported by ambulance to a medical facility. A Piatt County Sheriff’s deputy was on the scene quickly as were others, including a Birch Bus Service supervisor, local first responders and the Village of Cerro Gordo’s Director of Public Works. It was also quickly determined the utility pole and connected lines knocked down in the accident were guide wires and not a serious hazard.

Some of the bus riders got off the bus immediately after the accident and left the area before everyone on the bus could be accounted for by Birch Bus supervisors. This caused a delay in the backup bus leaving the scene to take the remaining bus riders home. Thank you to everyone who responded to help out and for the patience and understanding of the student riders on the bus and their parents.