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School board hears detailed account of Tomahawk school bus accident and response
Summary
School staff told the Campbell County School Board how they responded to a multi-vehicle bus crash during dismissal at Tomahawk, describing on-site triage for about 30 students, rapid emergency response, and praise for staff and community helpers.
Campbell County School Board members at the meeting heard a first-person account of a school bus crash that occurred during dismissal at Tomahawk, where school staff and first responders triaged roughly 30 students and transported a small number to hospitals.
The update came from Derek Adams, who told the board he heard a “loud crash,” ran to the scene and immediately began helping to evacuate students. “I sprinted down there as fast as I could,” Adams said, and described organizing staff to get students off buses, start a reunification list and work with emergency medical services.
Why it matters: Board members said the incident underscored the division’s emergency training and interagency coordination. Dr. Stanley emphasized that the division’s priority in such incidents is managing the crisis and ensuring accuracy in public communications: “Our number 1 priority is to deal with the crisis itself,” he said, and urged patience with early public posts while staff confirm facts.
Officials and staff said the response involved multiple ambulances and fire units, on-site triage stations, school resource officers and many parents who assisted in calming and checking children. Melissa Ferguson and nurse Allie were among the school employees singled out by Adams for helping with triage and reunification.
Details provided at the meeting include an estimate of about 30 students being checked; several children were evaluated and a “couple” sustained concussions, but school staff reported most returned to classes the following Monday. Board members and staff praised the school community: one board member said the event “gives us comfort to know ... our kids are in good hands.”
Board members also reported post-incident debriefing with local emergency agencies. Speakers noted ambulance response times reported in two different remarks — “89 seconds” and “49 seconds” — and said agencies from Campbell County, Bedford and Central Health responded. Dr. Stanley said school leadership has already contacted county public safety partners and held internal debriefs.
The account concluded with thanks to staff, school resource officers and parents who helped at the scene. No formal board action was taken during the presentation.
The board flagged communications protocol as the official follow-up: staff reiterated the need to prioritize accurate information when sharing updates publicly after a crisis.
