School bus crash sends 10 students, two adults to the hospital

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. (KBJR/Gray News) - Ten students and two adults were taken to the hospital after a car crashed into the side of a school bus in Minnesota Thursday.

The crash occurred at about 7:49 a.m. near Town Line Road and Highway 5 in St. Louis County between Hibbing and Cherry, Minnesota, according to St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay.

Ramsay said a car “T-boned” the bus, causing it to roll onto its side.

It is reported 20 kids were on the St. Louis County School District bus at the time of the crash. Ramsay said the students on board ranged in age.

A witness reported the crash and stated students were crawling out of the bus on their own.

Ten students on the bus were transported by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries to either the Hibbing or Virginia hospitals.

The identities or ages of the students have not been released at this time.

The bus driver, identified by Minnesota State Patrol as 52-year-old Shawn Lindula, was also taken to the hospital. Ramsay said the severity of his injuries is unknown.

Ramsay also reported the driver of the car involved, identified as 19-year-old Svewa Snicker, was airlifted to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. She was the only person in the car.

“Based on the potential volume of injuries, a ‘mass casualty’ system was implemented to ensure we had a sufficient response,” said Hibbing Fire Chief Erik Jankila. “That resulted in having more ambulances than patients on scene.”

When crews arrived, they saw the vehicle that hit the bus had significant damage to its passenger compartment.

The Minnesota State Patrol is now handling the crash investigation.