The mayor of Crossfield, Nathan Anderson, has set up a website to raise funds for the families of the children involved in a serious school bus crash north of the town on Oct. 25 that sent eight children to hospital and left one in serious condition.
The collision between the school bus and a pick-up truck, occurred at the intersection of Highway 791 and Township Road 290 shortly after 8 a.m.
The five-year old boy, the son of the bus driver who was air-lifted to hospital in STARS Air Ambulance, was released from intensive care on Nov. 4 and is now in stable condition.
“I’ve had conversations with most of the families,” Anderson said.
“They are doing a lot better considering the situation.”
The website “Crossfield Cares” is hosted by legup.ca – an internet site designed to help individuals, sports teams, school projects, organizations, and charities raise funds for their desired cause.
“The woman that runs legup.ca was moved by the story (of the bus crash) and wanted to do something to help,” said Anderson.
“She normally charges a four per cent fee, but she’s waived it in this case, to give all the money to the families.”
As of press time, there have been 11 donations made totalling $800 of the $5,000 goal.
Those wanting to donate via a PayPal system to the cause can visit the website and donate in increments of $20, $50, $100 and $1,000 until Nov. 15.
The funds will go towards unexpected costs such as parking at the hospital, time off work and groceries, Anderson said.
The female bus driver and eight other children on the bus were injured and transported by ambulance to Calgary hospitals.
Three of the other students on board were the driver’s children.
The students ranged between the ages of five and nine, and attended Crossfield Elementary School and W.G. Murdoch School.
Anderson explained that his wife has spoken with the bus driver and he said that she is coping with the situation.
“She’s shaken up and feels the burden of the situation.”
RCMP are still investigating the crash and no report has been released as of press time.
No charges have been laid in relation to the incident and it has not been determined which driver was at fault.
To donate to the families affected by the Crossfield crash, visit www.legup.ca/crossfieldcares
