(Radio Iowa) – Cherokee County officials say four people were hospitalized after a semi – driven by 61-year-old James Nieuwenhuis, of Hospers – hit a school bus traveling east of Marcus at about 7:35 this (Thursday) morning. The 2011 Bluebird bus was carrying students in the Marcus Meriden Cleghorn Remsen Union (MMCRU) school district. The Iowa State Patrol says the accident happened as the 2007 Mack semi was traveling north on F Avenue and failed to stop at the intersection with 470th Street. The truck entered the intersection in front of the school bus, which was westbound on 470th. After the bus struck the right side of the trailer, and both vehicles partially entered the ditch northwest of the intersection.

The district’s Facebook page indicates all aboard the bus were evaluated at the scene. Three students and the bus driver 62-year-old Leslie Pedersen, of Cleghorn – were taken to Cherokee’s hospital for treatment of what’s described as minor injuries. The rest of the students were loaded onto another bus and taken to school, where a school nurse and a secretary checked again to make sure they were not injured.