Two students from Kenwood Middle School were killed and multiple people were injured after a Montgomery County school bus collided with a TDOT dump truck and a passenger vehicle on Highway 70 in Carroll County, Tenn., on March 27. The bus was carrying more than 20 students and five adults on a field trip to a GreenpowerUSA event. Several victims were airlifted to trauma centers in Nashville and Memphis, and hospitals report patients in stable condition. Authorities from THP, CCSO and MCSO are investigating the cause and have not released the victims' names.
Two Kenwood Middle School Students Killed, Dozens Injured in Tennessee Bus Crash During Field Trip
Injured victims being treated after multi-vehicle crash in Carroll County, Tenn., on March 27Credit: WBBJ-TV via AP
Two students from Kenwood Middle School were killed and many others were injured when a Montgomery County school bus collided with a Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) dump truck and a passenger vehicle on Highway 70 in Carroll County, Tenn., on March 27.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), troopers responded at about 12 p.m. local time to what officials described as a 'serious' crash. THP said the bus was carrying more than 20 students and five adults on a field trip to the GreenpowerUSA event in Jackson when the collision occurred.
An ambulance helicopter tranpsorts an injured victim after the March 27 bus crash in Carroll County, Tenn.Credit: WBBJ-TV via AP
Casualties and medical response: THP confirmed that two students on the bus died. Several other people were injured; multiple victims were airlifted to trauma centers in Nashville and Memphis. Local hospitals reported receiving many patients: Baptist Memorial Hospital–Carroll County treated 19 people from the crash, and four pediatric patients were taken to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt Health confirmed those patients were in stable condition.
Who was involved: THP Major Travis Plotzer said at a March 27 press conference that five adults and more than 20 students were on the school bus. Two adults were in the TDOT truck and a single occupant was in the passenger vehicle. Authorities have not released the identities of the victims.
Tennessee Highway Patrol Major Travis PoltzerCredit: Tennessee Highway Patrol/Facebook
Investigation and response: The THP and other agencies — including the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) — are investigating the crash. Officials said they are gathering facts and interviewing witnesses before releasing additional details.
In statements, school and local leaders expressed grief and appreciation for first responders. The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS) said its 'hearts are shattered' and that the Kenwood Middle community will need continued support. Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden said he and his family are grieving with those affected and asked the community to keep victims, families, educators and first responders in their prayers.
What we know and what’s next: Details remain limited as investigators continue to collect evidence. Officials urged patience while they piece together the sequence of events that led to this tragic collision.
'Our hearts are with the families impacted by this devastating loss. We are grateful to the first responders, EMS and flight crews whose quick actions helped save lives,' a THP spokesperson told PEOPLE.
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