FNN Article Update © Tuesday, January 13, 2026. Accident images by Knoxville-Deerfield Vol. Fire Company © January 12, 2026.
KNOXVILLE, PA – Update – One person was injured in a two vehicle accident involving a school bus early Monday morning,, January 12, 2026. Fire crews from Knoxville and Osceola, as well as Valley Ambulance and ambulances from Sabinsville responded to the incident involving a car and a Northern Tioga School District bus around 7::15 AM. Also local and Pennsylvania State Police, as well as school personnel responded to the scene.
The crash occurred near 6187 Route 49 in Deerfield Township. The Osceola Fire Chief was first to arrive on scene around 7:20 AM. The fire chief quickly checked for injuries of students and both drivers as other emergency workers arrived on scene.
One lane of Route 49 was closed due to the car involved in the crash came to rest partially blocking the roadway. The other lane remained opened as fire and EMS crews continued to check over patients. The school was sitting along the shoulder of the roadway.
Early reports indicated that there were nine students on the school bus at the time of the accident. Each of the students and both drivers were checked over. None of the students or the school bus driver were injured and the needed refusal forms were filled out. As for the driver of the car, that individual refused ambulance transport but proceeded to the hospital via personal vehicle, according to Knoxville-Deerfield Volunteer Fire Company..
Responding medics out of Wellsboro were able to be recalled at 7:27 AM as they were not needed at the scene.
White’s Towing was requested to the scene to remove the car.
Pennsylvania State Police arrived at the site by 7:49 AM, to investigate the accident scene.
White’s Towing was next to arrive by 8:05 AM, to remove the car first from the roadway. That vehicle was towed away by 8:23 AM.
The school bus was moved to the shoulder of the roadway as several fire units were cleared to return to their stations. By 8:25 AM all remaining Knoxville and Osceola units were cleared to head back to their stations.
The Northern Tioga School Superintendent Kristopher Kaufman, released the following letter on Parentsquare and then shared that on the school’s Facebook page at 9:11 AM;
Good morning NTSD families and communities,
One of our Northern Tioga school buses was involved in an accident this morning on Rt 49. The accident involved the bus and another motor vehicle. Fortunately, there were no injuries. The parents of the students involved were notified directly.
In these situations, we are grateful for the rapid response from our local and county level EMS, First Responders, and law enforcement (both local and the PA State Police). Their professionalism and support in these circumstances helps to bring calm and orderliness to what could easily be a chaotic situation.
In addition to the staff who are designated to respond to bus accidents, thank you to all the staff who were on their way in to work this morning, and stopped to assist. Each filled a needed role quickly and helped coordinate and direct parents and communication.
The school offices involved along with the business office supported the accident scene by contacting parents and coordinating back up transportation. Again, important roles that help maintain consistent and accurate flow of information.
As a reminder, across the district, buses are on the roads starting around 6:00 AM until around 8:00 AM and then again around 3:00 PM until after 4:00 PM. I remind drivers to please be attentive behind the wheel for stopped buses and our students crossing roads.
Have a great rest of your week.
Kristopher A. Kaufman, Superintendent
Great job by all who arrived and assisted at the accident. Remember to support your local fire and EMS departments in 2026.
