INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The school principal died and two children were seriously injured when a school bus jumped a curb at Amy Beverland Elementary School on the far northeast side of Indianapolis Tuesday afternoon, officials said.
Two 10-year-olds were seriously injured and taken to Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health, an Indianapolis Fire Department spokesperson said.
Officials said principal Susan Jordan died after being hit by the bus. The bus driver told investigators Jordan pushed several students to safety before the crash.
The two children have non life-threatening injuries, IFD said.
The school bus lurched over a curb for an unknown reason and hit the adult and two children, IFD said.
The female bus driver told firefighters she’s not sure why the bus accelerated and jumped the curb.
The driver and 25 students on board were not injured.
Lawrence Township schools superintendent Dr. Shawn A. Smith spoke about Jordan Tuesday evening.
“We lost a great educator today,” he said of Jordan. “Quite frankly, we’re talking about a legend of education.”
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett also spoke.
“We express our condolences to the Amy Beverland Elementary School community and Lawrence Township schools,” Hogsett said.
An IFD official said Jordan was outside helping students board buses as she was hit.
The school bus involved, bus No. 244, was inspected four days ago and no problems were found, according to an Indiana State Police inspection report.
Parents were asked to pick up their kids at the school.
Emergency crews were called to the school around 2:45 p.m.
Amy Beverland Elementary School is in the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township.
Parent reaction
Parents spoke to 24-Hour News 8 as they picked up their children after the crash.
One mom said her “heart kind of sank” when she heard about the crash.
She said the school and police handled the situation well.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett issued the following statement after the accident:
This afternoon, Indianapolis police officers, firefighters, and medics responded to a call – and a place – that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
In the midst of tragedy, they responded quickly and with complete professionalism. For that, I want to thank them.
Tonight, our hearts are heavy – but full. From where we stand at this moment, our prayers go out: to the family of Principal Jordan; to the students and parents touched by this tragedy, and to two hospital rooms at Riley.
In moments like this, I know that tears come far easier than words.
But – on behalf of the people of Indianapolis – I want the students, parents, and teachers of Amy Beverland Elementary to know one thing: tonight, we are all ONE family, tonight we are all part of the Amy Beverland community.
The school district released the following statement:
The Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township will NOT hold classes on Wednesday, January 27. District-wide, we will mourn the loss of our beloved Susan Jordan, principal of Amy Beverland Elementary. There will be no before and after school care.
After school activities will be permitted to continue as planned.
On Wednesday, the following locations will be open for emotional support to our staff and families from 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.:
- Amy Beverland Elementary, 11650 Fox Road
- Belzer Middle School, 7555 East 56 Street
- Transportation, 5850 Thunderbird Road
- Lawrence Education and Community Center (LECC), 6501 Sunnyside Road
Thursday, January 28, all students and staff will return to their regularly scheduled classes and activities. Additional support will be available at all buildings for those in need.
The MSD of Lawrence Township is saddened beyond words by the tragic accident at Amy Beverland Elementary.
