Father and Son Duo Lead Medical Response to Devastating Pierre Bus Crash

Local Healthcare Heroes Step Up in Crisis

PIERRE, SD – When tragedy struck with a horrific bus crash near Pierre, an unlikely medical team found themselves on the front lines of emergency care. Dr. Tom Huber and his son, Dr. Sam Huber, became key figures in treating dozens of injured patients at Avera St. Mary's Hospital.

The Crash That Shook a Community

The accident occurred when a charter bus carrying passengers rolled on a rural highway, leaving multiple victims with serious injuries. Emergency responders rushed 16 patients to Avera St. Mary's, overwhelming the hospital's typical capacity.

A Family Affair in Emergency Medicine

• Dr. Tom Huber: A veteran orthopedic surgeon with 30 years experience
• Dr. Sam Huber: Family medicine specialist who recently joined his father's practice
• The Dynamic: Father overseeing fracture cases while son managed multi-system trauma

"Having Sam there was invaluable," Dr. Tom Huber told BNN. "We could anticipate each other's moves, which let us work twice as fast when seconds mattered most."

Behind the Scenes of a Mass Casualty Response

The hospital activated its disaster protocol, with staff reporting:

1. Emergency department expanded into adjacent spaces
2. All available physicians called in from clinics
3. Non-critical surgeries postponed to free up ORs
4. Regional hospitals placed on standby for patient transfers

The Human Impact

One patient, Marjorie Kline, shared her experience: "I remember seeing the older doctor explaining things to the younger one as they set my arm. There was such calm competence between them - it made all the difference when I was terrified."

What Comes Next

Both Hubers continue to follow up with crash victims while the hospital reviews its emergency response. The incident has sparked conversations about:

• Rural trauma care capabilities
• Intergenerational medical practice benefits
• Mass casualty preparedness in small communities

What Do You Think?

• Should family members regularly work together in high-stress medical situations?
• Are rural hospitals doing enough to prepare for mass casualty events?
• Does nepotism play a role when doctors work with relatives, or is it purely about skill?
• Would you feel comfortable being treated by a father-son medical team?
• Should there be restrictions on family members working emergency cases together?