At least 19 students in Colorado were injured Thursday afternoon when a flatbed driver reportedly fell asleep behind the wheel and collided with a school bus.

According to The Denver Post, state troopers said William Carroll, 36, was cited for careless driving causing injuries in connection with the crash near the intersection of County Roads 49 and 24 in Weld County. Police said alcohol didn’t play a factor in the wreck, which involved Carroll and a school bus carrying 29 students, four adult chaperones, and a child belonging to one of the chaperones.

Troopers said the school bus veered off the road before rolling one and a quarter times and making a stop near an intersection. The truck was spotted feet away in a cornfield, according to KMGH.

“I saw a bunch of kids laying on the ground, the guys from Noble Energy helped them out, and I just saw thousands of ambulances pulling in and out of this place,” one witness told KCNC.

Greeley-Evans School District 6 spokesperson Casey Pearson told KMGH that the bus was returning home from a field trip to Elitch Gardens when the accident occurred. Pearson revealed that the bus driver, a 53-year-old man, received the most serious injuries in Thursday’s incident. Reports indicated that he suffered a broken arm.

Children’s Hospital in Aurora confirmed they received six patients, ranging in age from 15 to 18, who are in good to fair condition as of Thursday evening. Meanwhile, North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley said they admitted 17 patients, three who have been treated and released. Platte Valley Medical Center told the news station Friday that five of their six patients were discharged. The last patient is in good condition.

“We are waiting to hear news about those that have been admitted to the hospital,” a post on the school district’s Facebook page read Friday. “Please continue supporting these families with your positive thoughts.”

[Featured Image: KCNC video screengrab]