A 13-year-old Indiana girl suffered devastating injuries after she was struck and dragged beneath a school bus while adjusting her backpack, leaving her family fearing her life may never be the same.
Kaydence Helfert, a seventh grader at Thompkins Middle School, was critically injured Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 1, inside the Grandin Pointe Mobile Home Park in Vanderburgh County.
Deputies with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office and crews from the McCuthanville Fire Department rushed to the scene around 2:57 p.m. after receiving reports that a child had been hit by an Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation bus.
Sheriff Noah Robinson told 14 News that Kaydence had just gotten off one school bus and bent down to adjust her backpack when another bus entered the parking lot and began turning around.
The bus struck the teenager and dragged her underneath its wheels.
Kaydence was rushed to a local hospital with serious injuries before being transferred to Riley Children’s Hospital, where she is now facing multiple surgeries and what loved ones describe as a long and painful recovery.
Her mother, Angela Kay, said Kaydence suffered a dislocated hip, a severe pelvic fracture and internal injuries.
“Well, I know that she’s never going to have a normal life again,” Kay told KOLD. “Our main concern right now is just getting her back to good health. Whatever normal can be.”
Students were aboard the school bus at the time of the horrifying accident, but authorities said none of them were hurt.
The bus driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. The driver also underwent a chemical test, though police said there was no indication that impairment played a role in the crash.
A family friend has since launched a GoFundMe to help Kaydence and her loved ones as they deal with the aftermath.
The fundraiser said the teenager was rushed to Riley Children’s Hospital, “where she now faces multiple surgeries and a long, difficult road to recovery.”
“In an instant, this family’s world was turned upside down, and their focus right now is being by her side every step of the way,” the organizer wrote.
Kaydence’s mother and siblings reportedly traveled about three hours to be with her at the hospital.
The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation also released a statement following the accident.
“Our primary concern is the well-being of our student who was involved in yesterday’s accident,” the district said. “She is receiving medical care, and we are keeping her and her family in our thoughts. We have been in contact with the family and ask that their privacy be respected at this time.”
The investigation into the crash remains ongoing.