Washougal students on bus that left road

An Educational Service District 112 (ESD) bus carrying four Washougal School District students left Washougal River Road and skidded into a ditch on Tuesday, April 12.

The bus carried four students from Cape Horn-Skye Elementary and Canyon Creek Middle schools at the time. All of the students were wearing seat belts, according to a news release issued by the Washougal School District.

“After being evaluated by first responders, no injuries requiring medical attention were detected or reported,” the news release states.

The incident involved a “smaller, special-services style” bus that transports students from Cape Horn-Skye and Canyon Creek home each evening, according to the news release. The bus left the road at about mile marker 3 and got stuck in a ditch on the west side of the roadway. 

Clark County Sheriff and Camas-Washougal Fire department officers responded to the scene, as well as a tow truck, which moved the bus back to the roadway. Staff members from both schools and ESD 112, as well as Washougal School District transportation supervisor David Tsao, also arrived to provide assistance.

“The safety of our students and staff is always our first priority, and we are committed to providing safe, reliable transportation to and from school for all families,” the news release states. “We will work with ESD 112 to review and follow any of the required steps under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules that apply in this situation. We are grateful that there were no significant injuries and thankful to the local first responders who arrived to support students and the bus driver.”