FAIRMONT, W.Va. — No injuries were reported in a collision with a Marion County school bus Thursday morning.
Unconfirmed reports indicate a student from East Fairmont High School was driving the car and collided with the bus on Airport Road in Pleasant Valley at 9:20 a.m. on Thursday.
“A driver crossed the yellow line and struck a school bus, and there were no injuries on the school bus or to the driver,” Marion County Schools Superintendent Dr. Donna Heston told WAJR News.
Marion County Schools were on a two-hour delay Thursday and Friday morning. Heston said the safest mode of transportation when classes are delayed is to use transportation offered by the school system.
“That is the safest mode of travel to our schools,” Heston said. “We have well-trained bus operators in the state of West Virginia, our vehicles are equipped with chains, and our drivers are professionally trained, so that is the mode of travel we recommend.”
The students on the bus, the bus driver, and the driver of the car were checked out and cleared by first responders at the scene, according to Heston.
“Here in Marion County, anytime there is a bus accident, the driver is drug tested, as is standard protocol,” Heston said.
Heston is grateful for the quick response from the West Virginia State Police and the members of the Valley Volunteer Fire Department.
“We are very thankful there were no injuries yesterday and very thankful for the response from the state police and first responders,” Heston said.