COARSEGOLD — An accident on Highway 41 involving a school bus slowed traffic for well over an hour this afternoon.
Today at about 1:50 p.m., a Yosemite School District bus was southbound on Highway 41 and was stopped, waiting for traffic to clear to make a left turn onto Mecca Lane.
According to CHP, traffic on northbound Highway 41 was heavy, and the 65-year-old driver was “waiting for a safe gap in traffic to make the turn.” There were 45 students on the bus.
A 52-year-old female from Fresno was also southbound at the location in a 2012 Chevrolet, traveling at approximately 55 mph as she approaching the stopped bus, says CHP.
The driver of the Chevy was unable to stop before colliding into the back of the school bus.
The force of the collision pushed the Chevy into a ditch on the west side of the road, while the school bus sat blocking the southbound lane of Highway 41.
Cal Fire, Madera County Fire and Sierra Ambulance responded to the scene.
According to CHP, one student on the bus complained of pain to his arm and was seen by paramedics and released to his parent/guardian.
The driver of the Chevy suffered moderate injuries and was transported by ambulance to Saint Agnes Hospital.
A second bus was dispatched to pick up the students from the damaged bus.
The accident remains under investigation.
