6 students hospitalized in Alba-Golden ISD school bus wreck

VAN ZANDT COUNTY, Texas (KLTV) - An Alba-Golden ISD school bus that was on the way to a UIL academic meet was in a head-on crash Saturday morning.

The wreck took place at about 6:30 a.m. in the 800 block of FM 17 just north of Grand Saline. A white Hyundai Elantra crossed the center line of the road and struck the bus on the front left, DPS Sgt. Adam Albritton said. First responders arrived on scene quickly, and the crash has now been cleared.

Six students and the driver were taken to a hospital, according to a post from Alba-Golden ISD.

As of 1:15 p.m., all of the students had been released from the hospital; the driver was still under observation at that time but was released later in the day, Alba-Golden ISD said.

A statement from Superintendent Macie Thompson thanked those who responded:

“Thank you to the UIL sponsors, district staff and first responders who arrived quickly on scene to take care of our students and those involved in the accident,” Thompson said. “Our students were in very good hands this morning. We are very thankful that the injuries of the students and bus driver were not any more severe than they were. Thank you to those in our East Texas community and across the state who have reached out with prayers and well wishes for our students and staff, including Governor Greg Abbott. I ask that you please continue to pray for healing for those who were involved in the accident today.”

Adyson Ringgold, a 9th grade student at Alba-Golden High School, said she is friends with students involved in the crash.

“At first I was just really scared, you know. A lot of my friends are in theater, and I was just worried that they could be seriously injured,” said Ringgold.

David Wakefielb is a parent whose daughter and son both attend Alba-Golden ISD.

“You always want the children to heal as fast as possible, to do a speedy recovery and continue on without any more disruption to their lives,” said Wakefielb.

He said he couldn’t imagine having one of his kids involved in such a horrific wreck.

“It would devastate me, and it would have me scared. Obviously, you know, every parent’s concern is the safety and wellbeing of their children. We always worry about that. You never, ever stop worrying about that,” said Wakefielb.

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