In a harrowing accident that has sent shockwaves through the small community of Hibbing, Minnesota, a school bus carrying 20 students to Cherry School overturned following a violent collision with an SUV at the intersection of Highway 5 and Townline Road. The crash, which occurred at approximately 7:50 a.m. on Thursday, September 12, 2024, resulted in a mass casualty response and the hospitalization of 11 people, including 10 students and the bus driver. The driver of the SUV, identified as 19-year-old Svea Lynn Snickers, sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to Essentia Hospital in Duluth after being extricated from her severely damaged vehicle. The school bus driver, 52-year-old Shawn Allen Lindula, was also hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
The accident unfolded during the morning rush as students were on their way to Cherry School, a rural educational institution that serves a close-knit community. According to Hibbing Fire Chief Erik Jankila, the school bus was traveling northbound on Highway 5 when it was struck by a 2006 Toyota RAV4 driven by Snickers. The force of the impact caused the bus to tip onto its side, creating a chaotic and frightening scene as the children on board scrambled to escape the overturned vehicle.
The scene of the accident was one of confusion and urgency as first responders, including fire and EMS teams from Hibbing, Chisholm, Buhl, and Virginia, arrived to assess the situation and provide aid. Witnesses at the scene described seeing several students, some appearing dazed and shocked, crawling out of the bus through broken windows and emergency exits. Despite the severity of the accident, the quick response of emergency personnel, as well as the assistance of passersby, ensured that all students were accounted for and received medical attention if needed.
Hibbing Fire Chief Erik Jankila, who led the emergency response, said that due to the scale of the incident, a mass casualty system was activated to ensure that adequate resources were available to treat potential injuries. “The mass casualty response allowed us to have more ambulances available than we ultimately needed,” Jankila stated, noting that a second air medical unit was on standby at Range Regional Airport but was fortunately not required.
Emergency responders quickly assessed the injuries at the scene and determined that 11 individuals—10 students and the bus driver—needed to be transported to local hospitals for further evaluation. All of the injuries were classified as non-life-threatening, with students suffering from minor cuts, bruises, and general shock. The bus driver, Shawn Allen Lindula, was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash and sustained injuries that, while non-life-threatening, required him to be transported to Essentia Health Virginia for treatment. He was released later that day.
In contrast, the driver of the SUV, Svea Lynn Snickers, was in critical condition following the collision. Emergency crews had to extricate Snickers from the wreckage of her vehicle, which had sustained significant front-end damage. She was reported to have been wearing a seatbelt, and officials confirmed that alcohol was not a factor in the crash. After being stabilized at the scene, Snickers was airlifted to Essentia Hospital in Duluth, where she remains in intensive care.
The response to the crash was swift and coordinated, with multiple agencies working together to secure the scene and ensure that all individuals involved in the accident received the necessary medical attention. Chief Jankila praised the efforts of the first responders, noting that the mass casualty response protocol ensured that ambulances were on standby and ready to transport victims to local hospitals. In addition to Hibbing Fire/EMS, emergency crews from Chisholm, Buhl, and Virginia provided critical support, ensuring that the injured students and driver were transported quickly and efficiently.
“We were incredibly fortunate that the injuries sustained by the students and bus driver were not more serious,” Jankila said during a press briefing. “Everyone did a great job under difficult circumstances, and I commend the cooperation between agencies in responding to the incident.”
Law enforcement officials and school administrators worked closely at the scene to account for all 20 students on board the bus. While many of the students were shaken by the accident, they remained calm and followed the instructions of their bus driver and first responders. Jankila noted that passersby who witnessed the crash also played a critical role in assisting the children immediately after the bus tipped over, helping them exit the vehicle safely before emergency crews arrived.
Shubat Transportation, the company responsible for operating the bus, also provided additional vehicles to transport the uninjured students to school, ensuring that they were cared for in the aftermath of the accident. The school district and transportation officials expressed their gratitude for the support from the community and emergency personnel.
As the scene was secured and the injured were transported to hospitals, investigators from the Minnesota State Patrol and local law enforcement agencies began piecing together the events that led to the crash. While the exact cause of the collision remains under investigation, early reports suggest that traffic conditions at the intersection of Highway 5 and Townline Road may have contributed to the crash. Witnesses at the scene indicated that the intersection, known for being busy during morning commutes, has long been a point of concern for local residents due to frequent traffic congestion and limited visibility for drivers.
Authorities are reviewing dashcam footage from nearby vehicles and conducting interviews with witnesses to determine whether speed, distraction, or other factors may have played a role in the crash. As of now, no charges have been filed, and both vehicles will undergo further inspection to rule out any potential mechanical issues.
Chief Jankila emphasized that while accidents like this are rare, the investigation would be thorough to ensure that all factors leading to the crash are fully understood. “We owe it to the families of those involved to make sure we leave no stone unturned in understanding how this tragic event occurred,” he said.
The news of the school bus rollover sent shockwaves through the local community, as parents and school officials scrambled to ensure the safety of the students involved. Cherry School administrators quickly implemented their emergency protocols, working closely with law enforcement to account for all students and notify their families. By mid-morning, parents had been informed of the incident, and a reunification plan was put into place for those students who had been taken to the hospital for treatment.
Many parents expressed relief that the injuries sustained by the students were not more serious, but the emotional toll of the crash was still significant. “When I got the call that there had been an accident, my heart just sank,” said one parent whose child was on the bus. “I was terrified, but I’m so grateful that everyone is okay. It could have been so much worse.”
In the hours following the crash, the Cherry School community rallied around the students and families affected by the accident. Counselors were made available at the school to support students who may have been traumatized by the experience, and teachers worked to provide a sense of normalcy as classes resumed later in the day.
Local residents also expressed their concerns about the safety of the intersection where the crash occurred. Several community members noted that the intersection has long been a source of frustration for drivers, with heavy traffic and limited visibility creating dangerous conditions during peak travel times. “It’s a bad spot, especially in the mornings when everyone is trying to get to work and school,” said a local resident who lives near the intersection. “Something needs to be done to make it safer.
As the investigation into the crash continues, the community of Hibbing is left to reflect on the close call that could have resulted in a much greater tragedy. While the injuries sustained by the students and bus driver were thankfully non-life-threatening, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks that come with daily transportation to and from school.
The safety of school buses and the routes they travel on has long been a priority for school districts and transportation officials, but accidents like this highlight the importance of constant vigilance and ongoing safety improvements. As the investigation moves forward, it is likely that discussions about traffic safety, road improvements, and driver awareness will take center stage in the Hibbing and Cherry School communities.
For now, though, the focus remains on healing and supporting those who were affected by the crash. In the days and weeks ahead, the students, families, and first responders involved will have time to process the events of that fateful morning, knowing that their community stands with them in support and solidarity.
