School bus, vehicle collide in northeast Oklahoma County

CHOCTAW, Okla. (AP) _ At least one high school student was killed and five others injured when their sport utility vehicle collided with a school bus Tuesday, officials said. <br><br>Six students were

Tuesday, January 13th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

CHOCTAW, Okla. (AP) _ At least one high school student was killed and five others injured when their sport utility vehicle collided with a school bus Tuesday, officials said.

Six students were riding in the SUV when the accident occurred around 11 a.m. near an intersection in far northeast Oklahoma County.

No names were immediately released, but Choctaw High School Principal Donnie Black said the boy who died excelled in school.

``The young man was an athlete, an outstanding student, outstanding young man,'' Black said.

Counselors and officials from the local ministerial alliance were at the school campus by Tuesday afternoon to help students deal with their grief, Black said.

``We're dealing with the students, with the emotions and things,'' he said.

``It's going to be a tough day, it's going to be an extremely tough week for us.

``It's something no one likes to deal with.''

Black said some students were given permission to go home, but most stayed on campus.

Assistant Superintendent Mike Mitchell said the bus involved in the collision was on its way to pick up special education students but no students were believed to have been on board.

News footage showed mangled wreckage of the SUV, which flipped onto its top. Debris was scattered nearby and a purse sat upright on the pavement.