Updated

A Kewanee school bus was damaged last Friday when it was struck by a vehicle while parked in Rock Island.

No children were in the bus at the time. The driver was, and was injured; but he declined medical attention at the scene and reportedly was back on the job Monday.

Two buses had taken second-graders on a field trip to the QCCA Expo Center for Bald Eagle Days. The children were inside the facility and the buses were parked side by side outside when the accident occurred.

According to media reports, a Jeep missed a curve outside the botanical garden, skipped over two medians and went through a wrought-iron fence before striking the bus on the driver’s side near the front.

The impact pushed the bus into the bus next to it, causing some damage to that bus as well.

“The insurance adjuster has not given us any information as to the extent of the damages yet,” Supt. Rebecca Baney said in an email Friday. “I cannot confirm whether or not the buses are totaled.”

Two buses were sent from Kewanee to bring the children home.

“The incident caused only a slight delay in the schedule,” Baney said. “Quad City Botanical Center staff assisted by creating stations for our students out of their own good will and kindness. Students enjoyed this added bonus to their field trip.”

No details were available on whether the driver of the Jeep was injured or ticketed.

***This copy was edited to include comments and information provided by Kewanee Superintendent Rebecca Baney.