A group of Merrill eighth grade students on an end-of-year field trip to Washington, D.C. were unharmed after their tour bus caught fire Tuesday afternoon.
At approximately 1 p.m. CST on June 14, the engine in the back of the 8th grade tour bus in Washington DC started smoking. The bus immediately pulled over and all students exited safely without incident. Students were able to remove all belongings in their possession on the bus. A separate bus picked up the students at approximately 2 p.m. and they continued their tour.
PRMS and district administration have been in contact with chaperone and teacher Mrs. Joelene Weix, who stated that all luggage was secure and unscathed in a front compartment.