Eight Students Injured After Christian School Bus Overturns on I-29 [Buchanan County, MO]

Police Investigate After School Bus Overturns on I-29 in Buchanan County

BUCHANAN COUNTY, MO — A school bus carrying students from Shawnee Mission Christian School overturned on Interstate 29 just north of St. Joseph, Thursday afternoon, injuring eight students and one adult passenger.

The crash occurred around 3:35 p.m., according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP). 

Investigators say the bus was heading northbound toward a scheduled sports event in St. Joseph when the front passenger-side tire blew out, causing the vehicle to skid uncontrollably. 

Moments later, the rear tire also blew, sending the bus off the road and into a ditch, where it overturned onto the driver’s side.

The white school bus, clearly marked with Shawnee Mission Christian School at Olivet Baptist Church from Westwood, Kansas, was transporting 29 passengers, including student-athletes scheduled to compete in volleyball and soccer matches, according to the school’s calendar.

Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene. Eight students—boys and girls between 12 and 16 years old—were taken to area hospitals.

 Six students suffered minor injuries, while two sustained serious injuries. A 44-year-old woman, also a passenger on the bus, was transported with moderate injuries. The bus driver was not injured, according to the MSHP.

Video from News-Press NOW, shared by CBS affiliate KCTV5, showed the overturned bus resting in a roadside ditch. 

Buchanan County Sheriff officials praised the swift collaboration between first responders and community partners. 

A local fire department offered its facility as a reunification point, and a nearby Pilot truck stop provided water and snacks to students and families.

A school representative assured the public that all injured students are expected to recover.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the cause of the crash.

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When a School Trip Turns Tragic, Sweet Lawyers Is Here to Support Injured Students and Their Families With Compassionate, Experienced Legal Help

The recent bus crash involving Shawnee Mission Christian School students on Interstate 29 near St. Joseph is a frightening reminder of how quickly a routine school trip can take a devastating turn.

According to investigators, tire blowouts caused the bus to skid and overturn, sending eight students and one adult to nearby hospitals.

At Sweet Lawyers, we are deeply relieved to hear that all injured students are expected to recover. Still, for the students and families affected, this experience is undoubtedly traumatic—and may involve ongoing medical care, emotional recovery, and unexpected costs.

When children are injured in school-related transportation accidents, families deserve clear answers and strong legal support.

With over 40 years of experience handling bus accident and personal injury claims, our attorneys understand the complexities involved—from determining liability to negotiating with school systems, insurance providers, and transportation companies.

Injuries sustained by minors often require special attention, not only because of their medical needs but because the impact on their education, development, and mental health can be long-lasting.

At Sweet Lawyers, we work closely with families to ensure their legal rights are fully protected and that they receive the maximum compensation allowed by law.

If your child was injured in a bus accident or school-related crash, call (800) 674-7854 today for a free, confidential consultation.

You can also visit  Sweet Lawyers to learn more. There are no upfront costs—you don’t pay unless we win your case.

You’ve been through enough. Let us handle the legal work so you can focus on your child’s recovery.