AUTHORITIES SAY SIX STUDENTS WERE INJURED IN A SCHOOL BUS ACCIDENT IN PUNTA GORDA. THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL SAYS 52 YEAR OLD GAYLA SOBIECH OF PORT CHARLOTTE WAS STOPPED FACING WEST ON WEST BOUND GULF COURSE BOULEVARD JUST AFTER 3PM YESTERDAY. SHE THEN PULLED HER SCHOOL BUS WITH 43 STUDENTS ON BOARD OUT ACROSS NORTHBOUND US 17 TO MAKE A LEFT ONTO SOUTHBOUND US 17 WHEN SHE ENTERED THE PATH OF A NISSAN MAXIMA THAT WAS DRIVEN BY 18 YEAR OLD NYRON MATTON OF PUNTA GORDA. THE IMPACT FORCED THE CAR TO BECOME WEDGED UNDER THE BUS. SIX OF THE STUDENTS FROM EAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WERE SLIGHTLY INJURED, WITH TWO TRANSPORTED TO LOCAL HOSPITALS. A PASSENGER IN THE CAR, 16 YEAR OLD ZACH MATTON, WAS AIRLIFTED TO LEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL’S TRAUMA UNIT WITH WHAT THE HIGHWAY PATROL SAID WERE MINOR INJURIES. NYRON MATTON WAS TREATED AT THE SCENE FOR MINOR INJURIES. THE REMAINING STUDENTS WERE TAKEN BACK TO EAST ELEMENTARY ON ANOTHER BUS AND PICKED UP BY THEIR PARENTS.
