One lane open on each side of Clearwater Memorial Causeway
CLEARWATER (FOX 13) - An accident on the Clearwater Memorial Causeway stopped traffic to and from the beach starting around 3 p.m. Thursday, after a crash involving a school bus an SUV.
At 5 p.m., Clearwater Public Safety updated the traffic situation, saying one eastbound lane of the causeway was open, but westbound lanes would stay "closed for some time," adding Belleair Causeway would be the best alternative to get to and from Clearwater Beach.
Officers on the scene said appeared the SUV crossed the median and hit the bus, but they were still investigating the exact circumstances.
No students were on the bus, which was from Atkinson County, Georgia's Pearson Elementary School. The bus was returning from a tripe to fuel the bus for its return drive home.
Clearwater officials said the bus driver was taken to the hospital for treatment. Another adult on the bus was not hurt.
The driver of the SUV was taken by Bayflight helicopter to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg.
The view from SkyFox showed traffic backed up in both directions. Multiple fire and rescue vehicles were on the scene, as well.
Students from the Georgia school district were at Clearwater Marine aquarium when the crash happened.