No children were on the Kings Valley bus; both drivers complain of neck, back pain

PHILOMATH - A Philomath school bus and a log truck collided this morning at the intersection of Highway 20 and Kings Valley Highway 223 about five miles west of Philomath.

There were no students on the bus when the crash occurred.

The two drivers, whose names have not been released, complained of neck and back pain but were alert and able to walk. Both were transported to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis.

The accident happened just before 8:30 a.m. as the school bus was headed back to Philomath after dropping off students at Kings Valley Charter School, about nine miles from the site of the crash.

"The school bus apparently pulled onto the highway," said Deputy Randy Hiner of the Benton County Sheriff's Office.

The log truck tried to avoid the bus but couldn't, Hiner said.

The impact spun the bus around.

No citations had been issued Wednesday morning.

Hiner planned to interview both drivers at the hospital.

Part of the First Student Bus Company of Philomath, a fleet of 25 buses, the bus sustained heavy damage on the middle of the driver's side.

The log truck owned by Timber Dirt & Rock Co. of Fairview had damage to the front end of the cab. It carried no load.

The bus was leased to the Kings Valley Charter School, said Margie Bowden, manager of the bus company.

The collision caused temporary delays on Highway 20 at the site.

The highway was cleared at 9:40 a.m.

Philomath Fire and Rescue, Benton County Sheriff's deputies and an Oregon Department of Transportation crew responded.