More than two dozen injured in hay wagon crash at Wisconsin apple orchard

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (WEAU) – The deputy chief of the Chippewa Fire District confirmed to WEAU that there are 25 people injured after a tractor incident involving two hay wagons carrying children and adults at the Bushel and Peck Apple Orchard in the city of Lafayette.

Chippewa County Sheriff Travis Hakes also confirmed that no one was killed. He added that a news conference would be held Wednesday afternoon.

According to the St. Mark Lutheran Church and School website calendar, students from the 4K and 5K races took a field trip to Bushel and a Peck on Wednesday. The deputy chief would not confirm the ages of the injured or the severity of their injuries. He said that because of the large number of people involved, they have a mass casualty protocol in place, which is standard procedure when they don’t have enough resources to respond.

Our team on site indicates that several emergency vehicles responded as well as at least one helicopter.

We are told that all the children have been reunited with their families. The school transport service also came to the orchard to pick up the children.

Mayo Clinic Health System is among the agencies responding to the incident at Bushel and Peck Orchard, according to Dan Lea, senior communications specialist for Mayo Clinic Health System. Emergency response teams have been mobilized.

According to Chippewa County Sheriff Travis Hakes, three patients suffered life-threatening injuries, five suffered serious injuries and nine were transported by ambulance.

St. Mark Lutheran Church and School – Eau Claire Principal Peter Micheel released the following statement:

“At this time, we are relying on the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department as they were on scene. At this point, our focus is on reuniting the children with their caregivers. Whenever we are faced with a difficult time, we commit everything to the Lord’s care and trust in His guiding hand.”