Stacy Papa's four children didn't get home from school until about 10 p.m. Friday night. They were late, she said, but they were fine and now have a story to tell.
Surprise winter weather wrapped Central Missouri in ice and cold Friday, and when the afternoon didn't warm up into the 40s as had been predicted, school officials eventually decided to send students home.
Papa said she has a daughter in Fulton Middle School and three children at McIntire Elementary. They usually follow the same route home, but a semitrailer accident snarled their way near Kingdom City, so an alternative route - State Route HH - was followed.
"They came around a curve and slid into a ditch, and the bus landed on its side," Papa said, adding there were no injuries.
Someone on a tractor tried to help but skidded badly instead. The bus driver and an aid shared jackets and sweatshirts with the children, huddled on the side of the road by their bus. Passersby offered to take children into their heated vehicles, but eventually the busload of kids was shepherded to a nearby home.
"They stayed there from about 4:30 to 9 p.m.," Papa said.
A spare bus picked up the children just after 9 p.m.
"We met them at a safe spot," she said, adding the middle school's principal, Beth Houf, had joined the students and furnished food for them.
She also said she appreciates the efforts made by the bus driver and other school officials to keep her updated about her children and for keeping them safe.
"I am grateful to have my kids back home safely," Papa said. "All four were on the bus. I'm grateful they were together. The first grader said, 'I don't want to get on a bus ever again,' but now she's telling everyone the story."
Another accident
Missouri Highway Patrol troopers said an accident was reported at 11:34 a.m. Friday on westbound U.S. 54 near Holts Summit at Mel Ray curve where one driver sustained moderate injuries.
A 2002 Honda Accord, driven eastbound by Kini S. Ebong, 35, of Jefferson City, was destroyed after it slid on ice, traveled off the left side of the highway and began overturning. It crossed the median into the westbound lanes and struck a 2013 Honda Odyssey driven by Rusty R. Ridder, 35, of Holts Summit. Both vehicles came to rest off the road, north of the westbound lanes.
Ebong was taken to Capital Region Medical Center by Cole County EMS with moderate injuries, troopers reported. No injuries were reported for Ridder. Both drivers were wearing safety devices, troopers stated.
Other conditions
While no other major vehicle accidents were reported Friday or Saturday by law officials in Callaway County, difficult driving conditions were reported, and Friday night and weekend events were canceled.
More bad weather is expected today with frigid temperatures. Missouri Department of Transportation officials warn motorists to avoid travel if possible because of incoming ice and snow and single-digit temperatures. Up to 3 inches of snow could be received in some areas of the state, MoDOT officials said.
Travel on Missouri's roads should be restricted to necessary trips only. If travel is necessary, great caution should be taken, and travelers should plan ahead using MoDOT's online traveler information map.
MoDOT State Maintenance Engineer Becky Allmeroth said in a news release some roads were treated Friday for ice, but lower-than-forecasted temperatures and wet conditions made travel difficult through most of the state.
"MoDOT crews and law enforcement worked throughout the night repeatedly freeing cars and trucks stuck on slick, hilly locations," she added
On Saturday, mist and freezing rain continued to make the treatment of the roadways challenging, she added.
MoDOT's highway digital message signs will inform motorists of closed sections of interstate. Motorists should heed those warnings and exit the highway before the noted closure.
For road conditions including winter weather conditions and traffic speeds, check MoDOT's Traveler Information Map at traveler.modot.org/map. The map is also available as a free app for Apple and Android devices. The map denotes locations where the road is closed with a red exclamation point.
If you have to travel, please use proper winter safety precautions and make sure you have a full tank of gas, extra blankets and gloves and provisions such as water and snacks. Please wear your seat belt, and don't drive distracted. If you encounter car troubles or are involved in a crash, please remain in your vehicle.
Resources:
MoDOT Central Missouri highway updates
MoDOT statewide traveler information map
Weather forecast, radar, advisories