Both lanes of Bogus Basin Road near milepost 5 were closed for more than three hours Thursday night, so emergency crews could clear away four vehicles damaged in a crash.
The two school buses involved in the crash were carrying 57 students from Lake Ridge Elementary School in Nampa and six adult chaperones. The group was returning from a ski trip at Bogus Basin. Paramedics took one of the students to a local hospital for treatment of what appear to be non life-threatening injuries.
No citations have been issued in connection with the crash.
The four-vehicle accident occurred just before 9:45 p.m. Thursday, according to the Ada County Sheriff’s Office. A school bus going south slid sideways in the middle of a right turn. The driver of the second school bus following behind was not able to stop in time. The second bus then hit the rear bumper of the first bus.
The driver of a sedan going south couldn’t stop in time, and hit the passenger side of the second bus. The driver of an SUV going south, behind the sedan, couldn’t stop either -- and eventually collided with the rear of the second bus.
Deputies said the road was snow-covered and very slippery at the time of the crash.
Both lanes of traffic were reopened at 12:50 a.m. Friday.
Lake Ridge Elementary School and the Nampa School District staff are working with students and adults involved in the crash.
“It’s great that the community provides opportunities like this for children,” said David Peterson, Nampa School District Superintendent. “We are very happy that no one was seriously injured. We are working to provide any support needed, but the kids are resilient -- and it is very much business as usual at Lake Ridge today.”
Lake Ridge Elementary School staff worked until 1:30 a.m. in to ensure students were reunited with their family after being returned to school, according to a news release from Peterson.
Officials emphasized the trip was not sponsored by the district or the school. It was part of a program aimed at introducing fifth-graders to skiing and snowboarding made available from Bogus Basin.
