HOULTON, Maine — An RSU 29 school bus was damaged Thursday afternoon when it was struck by a car on Court Street.
Houlton Police Chief Tim DeLuca said Friday morning that the accident occurred at 4:45 p.m. Thursday as the school bus was driving into town on Court Street and was preparing to let a student off the bus.
A 2009 Hyundai sedan operated by Barbara Gaoutte of Hodgdon was traveling in the opposite direction, when she attempted to stop for the red flashing lights. Due to road conditions, she was unable to stop.
“The driver lost control, slid sideways and hit the front of the bus,” the chief explained.
There were about 17 students on the bus at the time. No students were injured in the crash, according to police. The school bus driver, Joyce Folsom, and Gaoutte also were not injured.
Both vehicles were towed from the scene and a replacement bus was sent to pick up the remaining students. The district will use a back up bus until the primary bus can be fixed.
“Parents were called once we were able to do so,” RSU 29 Superintendent Ellen Halliday said. “We do have back up buses though it gets tight when we also have extra-curricular trips going out.”
