Driver Killed in Crash Involving Kearney School Bus

An adult driver was killed Wednesday morning in a crash involving a passenger vehicle and a school bus carrying six Southview Elementary students near Kearney, authorities said.

Kearney police officers and Kearney Fire & Rescue Protection District crews responded shortly after 8 a.m. to the intersection of Missouri Route 92 and Jesse James Farm Road. The crash involved a passenger vehicle and a Kearney School District bus operated by Durham Transportation Services.

All six children on the bus were evaluated by emergency medical personnel and medically cleared. One student was treated at the scene for a minor injury. The students were either taken to school or picked up by family members, and the bus driver was not injured.

The driver of the passenger vehicle was taken to an area hospital and later pronounced dead from injuries sustained in the crash. Authorities did not immediately release the driver’s identity.

Because of the seriousness of the crash, the Missouri State Highway Patrol was asked to take over the scene and conduct the investigation. No additional details about the cause of the crash were immediately available.

Kearney School District officials said some students may have witnessed or heard distressing details about the crash and its aftermath. Counselors and other staff members are available to help students process what happened, and the district said it is providing additional care and support to those affected.

District officials expressed condolences to the driver’s family and thanked first responders, law enforcement officers, Durham Transportation Services staff and school employees who assisted students at the scene. The district said it will continue supporting the students and families affected by the crash.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.