Tour bus that carried Worton Elementary students is pulled from ditch and towed 3PM Thursday
Church Hill, May 12 — Charges are still pending in Thursday’s tour bus accident on 213 near Church Hill, according to Elena Russo of the Maryland State Police Office of Media Communications & Marketing.
The tour bus was carrying Worton Elementary School students on a field trip to the Washington Zoo around 9 a.m. when a Volkswagen SUV suddenly pulled out into the intersection at 213 and White Marsh Road.
The bus driven by Curtis A. Dorsey, owner of Dorsey’s Bus Service, was headed south on 213 when it struck the Volkswagen and veered off the road into a ditch — landing on its side.
The driver of the Volkswagen was identified as Carl Trenz Jr. of Stevensville, Maryland.
Russo told the Spy that 35 adults and children were on board. A total of 17 were sent to area hospitals, and one passenger was airlifted by a Med-Evac Helicopter to Shock Trauma. Russo had no information on the condition of the airlifted passenger.
Chester River Hospital received 13 of the 17 passengers sent to area hospitals, according to CRH Marketing Manager Trena Williamson.
Williamson said the hospital had seen seven children and six adults and there were no major injuries. All but one of the passengers had been released from the hospital by 1 p.m.
At the end of the day, Worton Elementary School Principal Ken Hudock issued a “Letter to Parents” assuring them that teachers, chaperones, and school administrators acted swiftly to ensure the children’s safety.
“Immediately, the teachers and staff of Worton Elementary School, along with adult chaperones, assisted all students until emergency personnel and police arrived on the scene,” Hudock’s statement said. “Students were then removed from the bus and medical personnel assessed their condition and needs. Soon after the accident, Dr. Wheeler, the Superintendent of KCPS, Mrs. Margaret Ellen Kalmanowicz, the Supervisor of Transportation, and myself arrived on the scene. Eight Worton Elementary school students and eight chaperones were transported to nearby hospitals for evaluation and treatment. Counselors and school psychologists were available to the other parents and students as they returned to the school after the accident…Please be assured that every effort was made to take great care of the students, families, and staff involved.”
connie schroth says
This is every school’s worst nightmare. My sympathy goes out to everyone involved – the children, their families, school staff, administration, and the Dorsey driver.
Jen McColigan says
Fortunately, we have the best teachers at Worton Elementary who were able to keep the children calm and orderly! All the parents are grateful for their professionalism!
MD Eastern Shore says
Do we have seat belts in school buses yet?
Hazen Arnold says
Any word on the driver who cut off Mr. Dorsey? Is she going to be charged with something?