BULLITT COUNTY, Ky. — A routine school bus ride turned frightening Monday when a bus carrying 28 students from Lebanon Junction Elementary School overturned on Wilson Creek Road.
A day after the crash, one of the young passengers, fifth grader Samuel Holcomb, opened up about what happened inside the bus as it suddenly veered off the roadway.
Samuel told that his first instinct after the crash was to call his parents and 911. However, he said the area’s spotty phone service made it difficult for him to hear them.
At first, Samuel said he wasn’t even sure the crash was real. He initially thought “it was a dream.” But the situation quickly became clear as he remembered seeing a truck enter the bus’s lane.
‘The Bus Just Fell Down’
Samuel said the bus driver swerved in an attempt to avoid the truck. Then the bus left the roadway.
“The tires rolled off into the ditch and the bus just fell down,” Samuel recalled.
The impact created chaos inside the vehicle.
“And then people fell on top of me,” he added.
The young passenger was suddenly surrounded by frightened classmates as students reacted to the overturned bus. Despite being scared himself, Samuel said he began trying to help the children around him.
Fifth Grader Comforts Crying Classmates
Samuel said several students were screaming and crying after the crash. Instead of focusing only on his own fear, he tried to comfort his friends and other students who were upset.
“I comforted kids, comforted my friends because they were crying, and I started helping people,” he said.
His actions came during a frightening situation that left several students needing medical evaluation.
Bullitt County Public Schools said eight students from Lebanon Junction Elementary School and the bus driver were transported by EMS personnel to a regional medical facility following the crash.
Another five students were transported by their parents for evaluation. The district has not indicated that the remaining students required transportation to a medical facility.
Family Tracker Helped Parents Find Their Son
Samuel’s parents were desperate to know whether their child was safe after hearing about the crash. A family tracking app helped them locate Samuel, allowing them to reach the scene before emergency responders arrived. His father described the relief of hearing his son’s voice after learning about the overturned bus.
“We got lucky because we heard our child’s voice as we heard about the crash,” Samuel’s father told the news station. “So, like, one thing I know is my kid is alive.”
For the family, knowing Samuel was alive brought an important moment of relief during an otherwise terrifying morning.
School Offers Emotional Support After Crash
The physical injuries were not the only concern following the accident.
Bullitt County Public Schools said additional district support staff and counselors were on site at the school to provide emotional support resources for students.
The district emphasized that the well-being of students, staff and families remained its top priority following the crash.
“Our highest priority continues to be the physical and emotional well-being of our students, staff, and families,” Superintendent Dr. Jesse Bacon said.
Bacon also thanked the people who responded to the scene and helped manage what he described as a complex situation.
“We extend our deepest thanks to our administrative team, school staff, transportation personnel, and the first responders whose quick action managed a complex scene under challenging conditions.”
Investigation and Recovery Continue
The Monday crash has left students, families and school staff processing a frightening experience, while officials continue supporting those affected.
For Samuel, the memory of the bus rolling into the ditch and students falling around him is likely to stay with him for some time.
Yet his account also highlights how quickly a child can shift from fear to helping others. After surviving the crash, Samuel focused on comforting classmates and helping those around him.
As students return to school and receive support from counselors and staff, families are left grateful that their children made it through the frightening incident.
What would you do if you were in Samuel’s position during an emergency? Share your thoughts in the comments.
