Libertyville students hurt in bus accident in Grayslake

Thirteen Libertyville High School students were slightly injured Saturday morning when the school bus they were in collided with a pickup truck and flipped onto its side in Grayslake.

Eleven students were taken to area hospitals for what paramedics said were mainly minor injuries. Most of the students, members of the school's volleyball team, suffered cuts and bruises, said Grayslake Battalion Chief Jon Cokefair.

The accident happened at about 7:45 a.m. when the small, white school bus used for athletic events was headed north on Route 83 to a volleyball match. At Washington Street, the bus collided with a pickup truck headed south, said Grayslake Police Sgt. Scott Heimos. He said the traffic light was green.

The accident is still under investigation, Heimos said, adding that officers are talking with witnesses to help determine exactly what happened.

Libertyville High School released a short statement via email Saturday afternoon stating that the students are fine.

“District 128 is pleased to report that all of the students and the coach involved in this morning's bus accident in Grayslake have been treated and released from area medical facilities and that no one suffered serious injures,” Director of Communications Mary Todoric said in the statement.

The drivers of both vehicles and two students were treated at the scene and released, Cokefair said. Nine of the students were taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville while two were taken to Grayslake Emergency Center.

“They were shaken up,” Cokefair said about the student athletes. “I'm glad it wasn't a bigger bus and that none of the kids were hurt more severely.”

Seven area fire departments assisted on the scene and with transporting students, Cokefair said.

Washington Street was closed for a short time after the accident, which happened on the bright, sunny morning.