Just after 8am Wednesday morning Loop 105 West of Cleveland was closed down as emergency vehicles responded to a crash involving a Special Needs Bus and an 18-wheeler tank truck. The crash was part of a mock drill to prepare first responders in case of a real emergency. According to Cleveland ISD Police Chief Rex Evans, the scenario was the driver of the tank truck suffered a medical emergency. His truck crossed the road striking the bus in the rear and flipping it over. Sixteen Special Needs students were onboard. The GORE Company worked with make-up to create life like injuries. Cleveland Fire Department responded to the scene along with Tarkington, Atascocita and New Caney Fire Departments. Ambulances from MCHD, North Liberty County and Cleveland EMS responded as did the Mass Casualty Unit which is housed at the Atascocita Fire Department. Harris County Hazmat also responded as did Smith Towing, J&J Towing and HAZMAT International from Conroe. Police from Cleveland ISD, Splendora ISD, Cleveland PD, Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Harris County Precinct 3 Constables Office and Patton Village Police Department also responded. Many attended to observe what was being done. Those first responders then after going over the entire scene were able to determine any difficulties that were encountered and be able to use them in case an incident would ever take place. Firefighters cut the students from the wreckage and removed them to a triage area where they wee evaluated. They were then loaded on ambulances in order of the seriousness of their injuries.
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