School bus trapped by power lines, children safe

HOCKINSON, Wash. – Twenty-five Hockinson primary school students were marched safely off a school bus Monday afternoon when the bus became trapped between downed power lines.

Fire District 3 responded at 3:32 p.m. March 8 to a report of a grass fire caused by downed power lines at Northeast 232nd Avenue and 169th Street in rural Clark County. Its Engine 31 and Battalion 31 arrived to find "no active fire but instead a school bus trapped between two downed power lines," reports Clark County Fire District Battalion Chief Jeff Stewart.

We're told that a brief wind storm in the area caused a tree to fall into the power lines.

"Dispatchers had received several calls," reported The Columbian's John Branton, "of trees knocked down by heavy winds and fallen across power lines."

Shortly after 4 p.m., Branton reports that it was decided the children would be taken “single file” to safety. Fire District 3 and school personnel escorted the students off the bus and placed them on another bus down the road for the rest of the ride home.

The roadway at 232nd Avenue remains closed from 169th Street to Horne Road as Clark Public Utilities repairs the power lines.

Clark County sheriffs assisted in blocking the roads and assisting the students. No injuries were reported.


Photo courtesy Clark County Fire District 3 of Hockinson school children boarding a new bus to finally head home: