A large oak tree fell Friday morning on a Marion County school bus carrying special needs children.
Donald Tucker, 66, was at the wheel of the school bus shortly after 8 a.m. traveling north on SE 25 Avenue when a large oak tree began to fall across the roadway, according to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol. While the tree was falling, Tucker attempted to take evasive action by applying the brakes but was unsuccessful. The large tree and limbs fell across the front hood of the school bus, the report said.
The school bus became disabled in the roadway. It was carrying nine special needs students, including two in wheelchairs. There were no injuries.
During a joint effort between several Marion County agencies the children were cross loaded into a different bus and went on to school. The Marion County Road Department arrived on scene with a large grapple truck to clean up the fallen oak tree. The roadway was eventually reopened. The disabled school bus was towed from the scene to the Marion County transportation lot.