LEANDER, Texas (KEYE) — A school bus carrying 42 students overturned on Nameless Road shortly after 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, injuring 17 students, officials reported.
The Leander ISD bus was traveling south on a slight curve when it veered off the road and rolled onto its side. The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating whether weather conditions contributed to the incident; rain was reported in the area.
First responders identified 43 individuals at the scene, according to Austin-Travis County EMS Assistant Chief Kevin Parker. Twelve students required transportation to hospitals, including Dell Children's Center and Cedar Park Regional Medical Center, some via STAR Flight due to the rural location of the crash.
Two individuals sustained serious but stable injuries, while the bus driver and other students were also taken to hospitals. Initially, reports indicated 12 hospitalizations, but further evaluations resulted in additional transports.
Leander ISD Superintendent Bruce Gearing expressed concerns for the affected families, noting the community's recent struggles with flooding. A reunification center was established at Round Mountain Baptist Church for students not requiring medical attention.
Authorities confirmed that the bus was equipped with safety seatbelts and operated by an experienced driver. The cause of the rollover is still under investigation by the Travis County Sheriff's Office and Texas DPS. Further updates will be communicated to families affected by the incident.