HARVEY COUNTY— USD 373 has concluded the internal investigation of the events that took place concerning the evacuation of a school bus on December 13, according to a joint statement from Newton USD 373 and City of Newton.
The bus driver stopped on South Kansas Avenue near SE 14th Street and asked the students to exit the bus.
Based upon the internal investigation, 37 students were onboard the bus that was evacuated due to fumes from a punctured Axe body spray aerosol can. Students were directed to stay onsite. The district says seven students returned to the bus to be taken home while the remaining students left the scene on foot. The release from the city says there were eight students. Regardless, all students made it home safely.
At that time, another bus was dispatched to assist in picking up students as well as administrators and other school personnel in personal vehicles. Transportation personnel reviewed bus video, confirmed student rosters and communicated with parents until the district was able to determine all students made it home.
USD 373 will be reaching out specifically to the families impacted by the incident regarding potential witness interviews.
A school resource officer made a preliminary review of the video footage from the bus on Friday, and the Police Department is now in the process of obtaining that video and audio evidence. Police are also interviewing the driver and each of the students.
“We understand parents’ frustration,” Chief Craig Dunlavy said. “We all want to know exactly what happened, but this will take some time to investigate thoroughly, especially with so many juveniles involved.
“Our primary focus on Friday was for the safety of all the kids. Now we have time to have more in-depth conversations and examination of the evidence. We’re investigating this like any other potentially criminal act.”
Some initial reports to police were that the incident took place in the Walmart parking lot because so many of the kids wound up there. Store staff helped gather them at customer service to be taken home.
“Kudos to the Walmart staff who helped round up the kids,” Dunlavy said. “That was a big help in accounting for them and getting them home sooner.