One student was airlifted for injuries after a school bus went off the road Tuesday morning, according to the Wells County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff Curtis Pellett said 65-year-old Lawrence Hepley of Sykeston, N.D., is a relief bus driver for the Carrington Public School District. Eight children ages 9-16 were riding the bus, which was headed east on a gravel road about 10 miles west of Carrington. Pellett said the incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. and Hepley was driving into the sun.
As Hepley approached a T-intersection, he failed to turn and continued straight on the road and onto a prairie trail, "which would have made the bus bounce pretty heavy," Pellett said. The bus did not have seat belts.
Pellett arrived at the Carrington school around 8 a.m. and contacted authorities.
"I'm guessing he didn't finish his route," Pellett said.
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Three of the students were treated for stomach pain, back pain and soreness, Pellett said. Of the three, one was later taken by air ambulance to a Fargo hospital. Pellett said he was unsure if any of the other students later received treatment.
The bus was not damaged, Pellett said.
