Crash involving church bus full of children, tractor-trailer hauling cattle closes TN roadway

HARTSVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - UPDATE: A crash involving a church bus full of children and a tractor-trailer hauling cattle has closed Highway 25 West in Trousdale County, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

THP told WSMV4 on scene that a church bus full of children and a tractor-trailer hauling cattle collided at the intersection of Hwy. 25 West and Sulphur College Road at 5:21 p.m. on Wednesday night.

The crash happened when the church bus stopped at a stop sign on Sulphur College Road while the tractor-trailer hauling cattle was traveling on Hwy. 25. The church bus pulled out onto Hwy. 25 into the tractor-trailer’s path, THP said.

The tractor-trailer struck the right front side of the bus, then overturned and came to a rest across Hwy. 25.

The roadway has been closed since the collision.

The church bus was hauling 14 minors and the driver while the tractor-trailer only had the driver and cattle, THP said.

Several people had to be taken to a nearby hospital including at least one child, but there are no serious injuries. “Everyone involved in the crash is safe and family notifications have been made,” said THP.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation said the church bus has since been cleared.

Crews on scene are still working to transfer cattle to another trailer. TDOT said veterinarians are on scene to figure out the condition of the cows.

THP said the crash cleanup will take an extended amount of time, and there is currently no estimate of when the roadway will reopen.

PREVIOUS: A crash involving a semi-truck and a church bus has closed a portion of Highway 25 West, according to the Trousdale County Sheriff’s Department.

TCSD said the collision happened at the intersection of Hwy. 25 West and Sulphur College Road in Hartsville. All emergency services are currently working at the crash scene.

Police said those injured are being treated, but they did not specify how many were injured or how severe those injuries are.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation said the crash was reported at 6 p.m.

WSMV4 has crews heading to the scene to learn more.

This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.