• 41°
franklin county times

Crash victims treated, released

HODGES – As of Friday morning, as many as 20 Vina School students had been treated and released from various regional hospitals following a Thursday afternoon bus crash.

Multiple people were injured when a Franklin County School bus overturned after colliding with a pick-up truck Thursday afternoon.

Officials at the scene said the bus, driven by Rebecca Gober, 58, of Vina, overturned near Alabama 172 and Overton Farm Road in Hodges about 3:20 p.m.

Authorities confirmed there were 29 students, all from Vina School, ranging in age from kindergarten to high school students, on the bus at the time of the wreck.

Of those, officials at the scene said there were a total of 14 children who were transported to hospitals in Hamilton, Red Bay and Russellville.

Franklin County Schools Superintendent Gary Williams, however, confirmed Friday morning that 20 students were taken to different hospitals and all were treated and released.

He said the injuries ranged from bumps and bruises to a small concussion, but none of the students received broken bones or any other serious injuries.

Trooper Curtis Summerville, public information officer for the Alabama State Troopers, said Channing Haithcock, 20, of Vina, who was the driver of the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up, was airlifted to Tupelo Regional Medical Center in Mississippi with non-life threatening injuries.

Officials said at the time the wreck occurred, the bus was on its regular route heading west on Alabama 172 and was turning off the highway onto Overton Farm Road when Haithcock, who was also heading west, ran off the highway and struck the bus from behind, flipping it over.

The truck struck the bus in the area of the back right tire.

Authorities said multiple emergency vehicles responded to the scene as well as several concerned community residents.

“All of the emergency personnel at the scene from all the county agencies did a great job,” Williams said.

“Mr. James Pharr, the principal at Vina, was there on the scene and from all accounts, he did a great job also. We were hearing all kinds of rumors and terrible things, but thankfully, those turned out not to be the case. We are extremely blessed and thankful that no one was hurt any worse than they were.”

Summerville said Alabama State Troopers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash and a cause for the crash has not been released at this time.

“It’s your worst nightmare to receive a call like this,” Williams said.

 

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x