Local News
Multi-Casualty Crash Involving High School Students on I-96 in Portland Township
PORTLAND, MI (IONIA COUNTY) – A small bus carrying high school students on their way to a college visit in Ohio crashed early Thursday morning on eastbound I-96 near Kent Street, resulting in multiple injuries and a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) declaration by authorities.
Just before 7:00 a.m., Michigan State Police (MSP) troopers responded to reports of a bus crash on I-96.
Upon arrival, troopers discovered that the bus had veered off the road and collided with a guardrail, causing one student to become pinned under the guardrail inside the bus.
The bus was carrying a total of 16 passengers, including eleven high school students, four adult chaperones, and the driver.
Emergency medical personnel treated six individuals on the scene, with four students transported to the hospital for further evaluation:
- Three students sustained minor injuries
- One student suffered serious injuries
Rescue crews worked swiftly to extricate the pinned student, while multiple emergency units assisted in stabilizing the injured passengers.
Authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, including possible contributing factors such as road conditions and driver impairment.
Traffic on eastbound I-96 was temporarily impacted as emergency crews worked to clear the scene.
Further updates will be provided as the investigation continues.
HARTFORD, IL — Newly released video footage reveals the harrowing moments of an ARCH Air Medical helicopter crash that occurred during a nighttime training exercise in Hartford, Illinois.
The incident took place around 9:00 p.m. on Thursday in a vacant lot near North Delmar Avenue, directly across from the Hartford Fire Department.
The video shows the helicopter attempting to lift off when one of its rotor blades struck a tree limb approximately 50 feet above ground.
The impact caused the aircraft to lose control, flip, and crash to the ground, where it immediately caught fire.
A thick plume of smoke and the glow of flames could be seen from blocks away.
In the aftermath of the crash, one of the individuals on board — identified in the video by a blue uniform — can be seen walking away from the burning wreckage.
Another survivor is shown being carried on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance.
Emergency personnel from the Hartford, South Roxana, and Wood River Fire Departments quickly responded to the scene.
The crash’s proximity to the fire station allowed first responders to act swiftly, containing the fire and rescuing the occupants.
Officials confirmed that all three people aboard the helicopter survived and were transported to area hospitals.
Two were taken by ground ambulance, while a third was airlifted by another ARCH Air Medical helicopter. Their medical conditions have not yet been released.
The crash resulted in a strong odor of aviation fuel that permeated the downtown Hartford area throughout the evening.
Authorities cordoned off the site while crews worked to stabilize the scene and mitigate any fire hazards.
The helicopter was participating in a routine training mission when the incident occurred.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and are conducting a full investigation into the cause of the crash.
ARCH Air Medical has not yet released an official statement.
More details will be provided as the investigation continues and additional information becomes available.