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CLEARWATER, Pinellas County, Fla., Oct. 22, 2026 — A Pinellas County school bus crashed into a safety barrier on Wednesday afternoon, October 21, while leaving a parking lot near Coachman Park, leaving seven students with minor injuries.
The bus was carrying about 50 students and staff members and had just left a concert at The BayCare Sound venue. It was pulling out of the Coachman Park lot shortly before 1 p.m. when it struck a vehicle-mitigation bollard on the park's south side while turning.
The collision damaged the passenger side of the bus and one of its tires, officials said. Clearwater police officers and firefighters responded to the scene and checked everyone on board for injuries.
Seven students were taken to a hospital as a precaution, the city reported. All injuries were described as minor. No further details on the students' conditions have been released.
The circumstances of the crash remain under review. It was not immediately clear whether the vehicle or the bollard sustained lasting damage beyond what was reported.
We wish the injured a complete and speedy recovery.
More on Crashes in Clearwater, FL
This bus crash happened in Clearwater, FL. We cover crashes across Pinellas County as they're reported, and you can browse the latest in our Pinellas County accident reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do road and weather conditions play into crashes like this?
Tight turns, narrow lot exits, and parked vehicles or fixed barriers can limit a driver's visibility and reaction time, even at low speeds. Wet pavement or glare can add to the risk in a confined space.
Where do most traffic crashes happen?
A large share of collisions occur in parking lots, intersections, and other low-speed areas where vehicles are turning, merging, or backing up, not just on open highways.
What can drivers do to avoid low-speed collisions like this one?
Slowing down near pedestrians, bollards, and tight turns, and checking mirrors and blind spots before maneuvering, can prevent many parking-lot and lot-exit crashes.
What to Do After a Bus Accident in Clearwater, Florida
If your child was on a bus involved in a crash, start by confirming their condition directly with school or district officials, and ask whether an evaluation or hospital visit occurred. Even when injuries seem minor, it's worth having a child seen by a doctor in the days afterward, since soreness or symptoms from a jolt can take time to appear. Keep a record of any medical visits, bus notices, or communications from the school district. If you have questions about how the incident was handled or reported, the district's transportation office or the Clearwater Police Department can provide updates as the review continues.
