Nine students were injured Tuesday afternoon when a vehicle jumped a curb and struck them during after-school pickup at St. Luke’s Catholic School in Ankeny, Iowa, officials said. The incident occurred around 3:15 p.m. on NW Weigel Drive as students were being picked up.
Several parents in the pickup line provided immediate aid to the injured children before emergency responders arrived. The nine students were transported to local hospitals, with some reported to have serious injuries. The school serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade, but officials have not disclosed the ages or conditions of those hurt.
The driver remained at the scene and was not injured. Ankeny Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Trevor McGraw stated the collision did not appear to be an intentional act of violence. Investigators are continuing to examine the cause of the incident. Authorities have requested the public avoid the area to allow emergency personnel unobstructed access.
City officials publicly thanked the parents, teachers, and staff who assisted the students during the situation. The Des Moines Diocese also issued a statement offering prayers for the families involved and the first responders who assisted at the scene.
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