School Bus Crash; 9 Children Taken To Hospital

WINTER HAVEN, FL — Nine children were taken to Winter Haven Hospital Tuesday afternoon after a school bus was involved in a traffic crash. The incident happened at the intersection of Central Ave. E at 6th St. NE, according to Winter Haven police. The bus was carrying 20 children from the Learning & Literacy Academy.

"There are complaints of back pain and in an abundance of precaution, nine children ranging in ages from 8 - 15 are being transported by ground to Winter Haven Hospital for evaluation," said Jamie Brown of the Winter Haven Police Department.

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Police charged 74 year-old Leo Sanchez with careless driving, according to Brown.

The school bus was traveling on Central Ave. E when a 2004 black Mercedes sedan, driven by Sanchez pulled out of a business at 6th St NE and Central Ave. The Mercedes crashed into the side of the bus.

"This was a minor crash with no significant injuries," Brown stressed, adding that there were no serious injuries despite earlier reports to the contrary.

"Early reports from those driving by called this a 'critical incident' with major injuries," Brown explained. "That is a perception due to the ambulance presence for the children being transported, however to reiterate, there are no major injuries."

Brown said that all parents of the children who were on the bus were being notified.

Photo courtesy Winter Haven Police Department