AUSTIN, Texas — Several elected leaders and school districts from across Texas reacted to the news after a man and boy were killed in a school bus crash in Bastrop County on Friday.
Hays CISD confirmed that the bus was carrying Tom Green Elementary School pre-K students who were returning from a field trip to the Bastrop Zoo.
Hays CISD Superintendent Eric Wright released a statement following the crash that read in part, "I am heartbroken ... There are no words that can express my sorrow for the student's family, the Tom Green Elementary School family, and our greater Hays CISD community."
Wright added that the reunification process was completed just before 7 p.m. He also thanked the school bus driver and the adults onboard saying, "Though injured, she insisted that medical personnel tend to the children first. Additionally, the other adults on the bus also focused their attention on the children first, despite their own injuries."
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott released a statement on the social media platform X, reacting to Friday's incident and shared that he has spoken with Wright:
"Cecilia and I are saddened to hear about this tragic incident, and we ask all Texans to join us in prayer for Tom Green Elementary students and families during this difficult time. I've spoken with Hays CISD Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright and offered the state's full support as they help their community through this tragedy. I thank the first responders and law enforcement officers who were on the scene immediately and continue to help their fellow Texans who were injured," the statement read.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) released a statement Friday afternoon, asking for prayers for those involved in Friday's tragedy:
"I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear about the school bus accident in Bastrop County today. Please join me in praying for these children, educators, and their families, especially those who have lost loved ones, during this difficult time," Cornyn's post said.
In addition to Cornyn, a number of school districts from across the area also released statements regarding the incident.
In a post on X, Austin ISD expressed condolences to the entire Hays CISD community:
"Our hearts are heavy as we send our deepest condolences to our neighbors in @HaysCISD . Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragic accident in Bastrop County. We stand in solidarity with the Hays CISD community during this difficult time," the post read.
Bastrop ISD released a statement on Facebook, clarifying that while no Bastrop ISD buses were involved, their thoughts were with Hays CISD:
"Earlier today, an accident involving a school bus took place in Bastrop County. Although the accident did not involve any Bastrop ISD buses, students or staff, our hearts are with all of those impacted," the post read.
Elgin ISD said in a statement on X that it was "saddened" and that its "thoughts were with Hays CISD":
"We are deeply saddened by today' school bus incident in Western Bastrop County involving Hays [CISD] students. We extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to the families of those involved hope for a speedy recovery of the injured," the statement read.
Hays CISD has established a website for those seeking information about this crash.
A GoFundMe has been set up for families affected.