The Superintendent of the Riverside Community School District issued a statement following this (Tuesday) morning’s fatal school bus fire in rural Oakland that claimed the lives of the bus driver and a student.

Dr. Timothy Mitchell said “This morning, the Riverside Community School District suffered a tragedy when we lost a student and an employee in a school bus accident. Our hearts go out to their families and loved ones. The investigation into the cause of the accident is underway, and we are cooperating with law enforcement as they do their work. The safety of students and staff is the top priority for the District. School is in session and a Crisis Team from the Green Hills Area Education Agency along with area schools counselors and many community volunteers have been deployed to all our buildings to assist students and staff. All afterschool activities for today have been cancelled and will be rescheduled.’ He said also, “The entire community of the Riverside Community School District is deeply saddened by the events of this morning. We would like to thank everyone who has offered assistance. Once again, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who is impacted by this tragic event.”

The Pottawattamie County Communications Center received a 911 call at around 7:02-a.m., with regard to a Riverside Community School District bus on fire near 17840 480th Street, about six-miles southeast of Oakland. A resident of the home the bus had just left made the call. Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Lt. Rob Ambrose said the bus had been backing out of the rural driveway and became stuck on the road embankment. Upon arrival, Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office and Firefighters from Oakland and Carson and found the bus to be completely involved in flames. Once the fire was contained, the remains of two individuals were found on the bus.  The male bus driver and a student who lived at the residence died. There were no other persons on board.

The incident remains under investigation.