October 19, 2025

Buncombe County School Bus Collision Sparks Safety Concerns

Buncombe County, October 19, 2025

News Summary

A school bus in Buncombe County was involved in a collision while leaving Valley Springs Middle School, raising alarms about school bus safety in the area. Fortunately, no students were on board. The quick response of first responders allowed for the scene to be cleared rapidly, ensuring minimal traffic disruption. This incident follows another recent crash involving a bus carrying students, further escalating community concerns about the safety of school transportation. Local officials are monitoring the situation and advocating for enhanced safety measures.

Buncombe County witnessed a school bus involved in a collision on Long Shoals Road Wednesday morning. The incident occurred while the bus was reportedly leaving Valley Springs Middle School and attempting to turn onto Long Shoals Road when it was struck by another vehicle. Fortunately, police confirmed that there were no students on the bus at the time of the crash.

First responders quickly arrived at the scene, and all vehicles involved in the crash had been cleared by 7:30 a.m. Following the clearance, the roadway was reopened, minimizing disruption to the area’s traffic flow. Ken Ulmer, a spokesperson for Buncombe County Schools, expressed appreciation for the prompt response of the first responders to the situation.

This incident is a part of a series of recent school bus-related occurrences in the Buncombe County area. Earlier this month, another crash took place on Porters Cove Road involving a school bus that was carrying around 15 middle school-age students. In this previous incident, the bus driver was hospitalized, and the students were evaluated for minor injuries. Parents subsequently picked up the students after they had been assessed by emergency medical services.

Firefighters from both the Asheville Fire Department and Reynolds Fire Department responded to the earlier crash, highlighting the collaborative efforts of local emergency services during these incidents. The Buncombe County School officials have stated they are closely monitoring the situation surrounding both incidents and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Community members are concerned about the safety of school transportation given the recent spate of collisions involving buses in the area. School authorities continue to emphasize the importance of safety measures and protocols for ensuring the health and safety of students during their transit to and from school. The investigations into the circumstances surrounding the latest collision are ongoing, with authorities working to determine the cause of the accident and to ensure such incidents are prevented in the future.

Summary of Incidents

The incidents involving Buncombe County school buses highlight growing concerns about bus safety in the community. Authorities are vigilant in examining traffic protocols and responding swiftly to any accidents. Keeping the area’s roads safe for students remains a top priority for local officials.

Upcoming Updates

As this is a developing story, further information regarding these incidents will be updated as it becomes available. Parents and guardians are encouraged to stay informed through official communications from the Buncombe County School District.

FAQ

What happened in Buncombe County on Wednesday morning?

A Buncombe County school bus was involved in a collision on Long Shoals Road while leaving Valley Springs Middle School. The bus was struck by another vehicle while attempting to turn onto Long Shoals Road.

Were there any students on the bus during the crash?

Police confirmed that there were no students on the bus at the time of the crash.

What was done to manage the situation after the collision?

First responders cleared all vehicles involved in the crash by 7:30 a.m., and the roadway was reopened shortly after.

Have there been other school bus incidents in the area recently?

Yes, earlier incidents include a school bus crash on Porters Cove Road with about 15 middle school-age students involved. The bus driver was hospitalized, and parents picked up the students after they were evaluated for minor injuries.

Key Features of the Incident

Feature	Details
Location	Long Shoals Road, Buncombe County
Cause	Collision with another vehicle
Students Onboard	No
Response Time	First responders arrived quickly; scene cleared by 7:30 a.m.
Previous Incident	Porters Cove Road school bus crash with 15 students involved
Injuries	Minor injuries evaluated; bus driver hospitalized
Follow-Up	Updates to be provided as information becomes available