School bus returning from varsity soccer game hits bear in North Country

Theresa, N.Y. — A school bus carrying a boys varsity soccer team hit a bear in the North Country while returning home after a game Friday night, according to the district’s superintendent.

Around 7:45 p.m., a LaFargeville Central School District bus was driving on State Rt. 37 in Theresa after a game when the bus struck a bear, said Travis Hoover, superintendent of the LaFargeville Central School District.

There were five students, the coach and the driver on the bus, Hoover said. No one was injured in the crash, he said.

The passengers said the crash felt like hitting a speed bump, Hoover said. Only the front left tire hit the bear, he said.

The bear was injured and needed to be put down after the accident, a member of the Theresa Fire Department said.

The bus was headed back to LaFargeville after a soccer game in Harrisville. The bus suffered minimal damage, he said.

LaFargeville is between Watertown and Alexandria Bay in Jefferson County.

Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at ahayes@syracuse.com.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.