Full Notification

(Etowah County, Alabama) An Etowah County Board of Education school bus was involved in a two vehicle wreck this afternoon, according to Sheriff Todd Entrekin.

A pickup truck, driven by 16 year-old Trenton Blake Gibbs, collided with the school bus at approximately 2:45 p.m. today, May 26th. The wreck took place on Highway 132, between Warrior Valley Road and Thompson Drive, Altoona.

Two students, on the bus, were not injured and taken to local hospitals only for precautionary measures. A teacher’s aide on the bus was transported to a hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The drivers of the bus and truck were both airlifted to Birmingham hospitals.

Gibbs, a student at West End High School, passed away at a Birmingham hospital shortly before 5:00 p.m.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Gibbs’ family during this difficult time,” Dr. Alan Cosby, Etowah County superintendent, said. “Our prayers also go out to the bus driver, aide, students and their families.”

“Losing a loved one is never easy, especially a child. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved.” said Sheriff Entrekin. “My office will do our best to support the school system and students in the coming days, weeks and months ahead.”

The Sheriff’s Office chaplains are on hand at West End High School tonight as the commencement ceremony for graduating seniors began at 8:00 p.m. this evening.

Agencies involved today include: Altoona Police Department, A-Med Ambulance, Altoona Volunteer Fire Department, Egypt Volunteer Fire Department, Walnut Grove Volunteer Fire Department, Gadsden Police Department Traffic Homicide Investigators, Alabama Department of Transportation, Etowah County Board of Education personnel and Etowah County Sheriff’s Office.
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