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Bus, Tractor Crash Near Walnut Hill
May 3, 2024
A tractor operator was critically injured in a crash with a school bus Friday afternoon near Walnut Hill.
The collision happened at the intersection of Highway 164 and Wilma Road just after 4 p.m The collision pushed the tractor into a ditch. Both vehicles came to rest upright in the ditch.
The 47-year old male tractor operator from McDavid was ejected from the tractor. He was airlifted by AirCare helicopter as a “trauma alert” to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola.
The Florida Highway Patrol said both vehicles were traveling east on Highway 164 when the bus driver attempted to pass the tractor in a passing zone.
“The driver of the tractor failed to yield to traffic when making a left turn onto Wilma Road,” FHP said.
There were two dozen students on Escambia County School District bus 12-22 from Ernest Ward Middle and Northview High schools. A 12-year old female student was transported to Jay Hospital by Escambia County EMS for evaluation of a minor injury. The other students were released to their parents or guardians on scene, and the remainder were to board another bus to continue the trip home. The bus driver, a 62-year old female from Century, was not injured.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
19 Responses to “Bus, Tractor Crash Near Walnut Hill”
Since when is it OK to pass at an intersection? In the state I live, passing at an intersection is prohibited, or is this just giving the bus driver a pass?
Why are people talking about the bus driver and bus drivers in general. This accident, as horrible as it was, it was not the fault of the bus driver. Most school bus drivers are safe drivers. It was an accident, and the FHP has already said who was at fault. I just Pray that this man heals from his injuries and his family can find some comfort during this very difficult time.
It was scary i cried My back herts bc of it he failed to yealed and we crashed
@amazing,
NOWHERE does it say that the tractor driver failed to signal. Please don’t add “facts” without evidence.
So on these two lane rule roads when you make a left hand turn you better make sure the driver behind you is not trying to pass you where it is legal to pass because even though car is in opposite drivers lane. These bus drivers need to slow down and got some common courtesy. By the way to all my two lane driving country folks look in front and in back when making a left turn make sure no one is trying to pass . I have been in same situation. Definitely learned something today about passing cars having ride of way.
FAILED TO YIELD WITHOUT SIGNALING
Has anyone heard anything about how the driver of the tractor is doing? Genuinely curious
I have a student who rides this bus, and they have commented that the bus driver drives too fast. Thank God no one was injured really bad. There’s one other bus in particular that travels way too fast, and considering that the children are not wearing their seatbelts, it could really be tragic if she ever has an accident. And we did report that other particular bus to the bus department at ECSB, which they just brushed it off. Bus drivers just please slow down. We would rather have our children arrive safe and late, than fast and at risk of getting in a wreck.
Not an accident, a collision. “The driver of the tractor failed to yield to traffic when making a left turn onto Wilma Road,” FHP said.
Never pass any vehicle that is going slow enough to turn at an intersection. Chances are high that they will turn.
I know we love our bus drivers and yes that road is way to narrow. It does need to be widened. And yes this was an accident. But I recently have been dang near ran off the road, cutoff, and pulled out in front of by some of these bus drivers. They scare me to death knowing they have kids on board. They slam on breaks, yank those buses on turns and definitely do not stop at the light on 4 and florida hwy at bratt school. I feel for the traumatized kids and the pray for healing to the farmer.
@Bonnie Exner, This accident has nothing to do with the width of the highway!!!
Woah woah woah. How can the tractor fail to yield to traffic when hes the one making the turn. Yes the bus was passing. Regardless it sounds like a true blue accident were everyone was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Prayers for all
Exner, if they had widened the section you mention the very day you told them to, it would have no effect on this accident as it was nowhere in the area you mention. And also this accident had nothing to do with the width of the road unfortunately there was a driving mistake and someone will likely get a ticket.
Hopefully the gentleman on the tractor will make a full recovery.
The driver of the tractor had the right away as he was in front of the bus. Did he signal he was turning?
Did the bus driver use the blinker when trying to go around the tractor? Was it worth it or should the bus driver had waited till it was more obvious the tractor driver noticed the bus?
I didn’t realize we had to yield to traffic that’s behind us and decided to go around us but we actually had to make a left turn, I feel like that can be tricky. …. But also are we supposed to put our left or right arm out when making a turn if we have no blinkers? We can point fingers all day but I just think this simply was an accident and I hope everyone is okay. Prayers for everyone and I really hope the gentleman thrown from the tractor is going to be okay.
Thank god for everyone that helped but a special thanks to my kids father and bus 11-22
I was on the bus it was scary..
There have been several of these accidents lately where someone is passing people who are turning left. Apparently in Florida when you are turning left you have to yield to someone passing you from behind? Most places I have lived, it is the passing drivers at fault. Maybe in most places you can’t pass within 100 feet of an intersection (for this reason).
I predicted this was going to happen..anyone traveling that road knows it is way too narrow …prayers for the farmer that was thrown fron the tractor ….it was a miracle that only 1 child was taken to the hospital…I just commented on this website 2 weeks ago to widen this road from Pine Barren to HWY 29.