Published: October 03, 2007 09:35 am      

Students on bus discover man’s body

By Heather Pyles / Staff Writer

A Laurel County man was killed in a motorcycle crash early Tuesday morning, and his body was discovered when a bus with several Laurel County students came upon the scene of the accident.

According to Kentucky State Police, Hershel W. Woods, 42, of London, was eastbound on KY 3049 when he lost control of his Buell motorcycle and struck a sign.

Woods, who was not wearing a helmet, was ejected from the motorcycle and was found by the students approximately 20 feet away down an embankment, according to KSP.

Laurel County students discovered the body at approximately 7:30 a.m. during a morning bus route.

The students were riding a Hazel Green Elementary bus, and the bus contained elementary, middle and high school students.

Hazel Green Elementary Principal Danny Hacker confirmed the students first discovered the body, which had been there approximately three or four hours, according to Laurel County Coroner Doug Bowling.

The bus had not yet completed its morning route, and it wasn’t full of students, Hacker said.

Hacker also said the bus driver and many students were upset.

“Counseling services were provided for all the students on that bus,” Hacker said.

Hacker also said parents were notified of the incident and another bus driver finished the route.

“He’s a good driver and a good person,” Hacker said about the driver. “I’m sure he dealt with it in any way he could.”

Hacker said many of the students resumed classes normally and some were able to go home.

“It’s been a pretty normal day, considering,” Hacker said.

Hacker said the schools have rallied around the students to help them get through the difficult incident.

“Everybody gets through it together,” Hacker said.

It is not known whether alcohol or drugs were involved in Woods’ crash and an investigation into the cause of the crash is continuing.

Kentucky State Police was assisted at the scene by Laurel County Sheriff’s Department and the Laurel County Coroner’s Office.