Half of the patients from Monday morning’s bus crash that killed one child and injured dozens more were taken to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock.
As of Monday afternoon, four of the 26 children are still admitted. The other 22 who were taken there, ages nine to 13, have been released to their parents.
Before dawn Monday morning, the pagers went off for doctors and support staff, who got in position, ready to treat dozens of Memphis-area children with a range of cuts, bruises, and broken bones.
“25 patients at once is unusual, that’s a mass casualty event,” said Dr. Todd Maxson.
“Today has obviously been a stressful day for many,” said Chanda Chacon with Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
The charter bus carrying dozens of Memphis-area children and adults was returning from a Texas youth football tournament when it overturned in Saline County, Arkansas.
“For them, it’s the most terrifying thing they’ll every go through but we’ll manage it well,” said Dr. Maxson.
While Dr. Maxson said all 26 children treated there will be okay and make full recoveries, the injuries were nonetheless wide-ranging for those more seriously hurt. Two needed emergency operations.
“Skull fractures, arm fractures, some solid organ injuries,” said Dr. Maxson.
Doctors at Arkansas Children’s Hospital said after any such mass casualty event, they do a deep dive and dissect their response to improve their performance the next time it happens.
