Rome HS head coach announces team 'doing fine' after Thursday night rollover bus crash

After a school bus they were traveling was involved in a harrowing accident, rolling over multiple times, the Rome (Ga.) High School football players who were injured are apparently out of the hospital. The crash occurred late on Thursday.

Around a dozen people were reported to be injured in the crash, which was caused when an alleged drunk driver crossed the center line. Of the 25 players on the bus, about half were taken to the emergency room for treatment on various minor injuries, Rome head coach John Reid said in a statement.

“The bus was struck by another car that crossed the center line, causing the bus to lose control and flip over and roll until it struck a power pole and severed the pole,” Reid said in the statement, shared on social media by GHSF Daily.

Reid continued, expressing gratitude that the situation hadn’t resulted in anything worse than some sprains and bruises.

“The team is doing fine. About half of the 25 players on the bus were taken to the emergency room. Many had bruises, sprains and other injuries that you might imagine would occur when a bus rolls three, four times. The Rome Wolves are tough, and although we went through some trauma, we did not have a tragedy, and for that we are thankful.”

More on the Thursday night bus crash

Per Rome City Schools, the confirmed crash occurred as the Wolves were returning from a scrimmage at Rockmart. All students and staff were accounted for at the time, the school added.

Evidently, the school bus was involved in a two-vehicle crash, according to Polk County Fire. Later, the Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center stated they received 15 people for treatment, including three adults and 12 minors, via WSB-TV2 Atlanta. It was noted that all of them have been treated and released.

Continuing, the crash took place shortly before 11 p.m. ET about two miles northwest of Aragon, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. Additionally, Darryn Moore of WSB-TV2 Atlanta went to the area at the time, where he found the bus on its side and a damaged power pole.

Crews were able to use a crane to lift the dented and damaged bus before towing it away, but the road was reportedly subsequently shutdown following the accident.

Rome City Schools later confirmed buses were back on the road at approx. 11:45 p.m. ET. They were expected to arrive back at Rome High School at approx. 12:15 a.m. Friday morning, as an outpouring of support has come to the forefront for everyone involved.