9 hurt, 25 children sent to hospital after crash involving school bus

By News Staff
news@abc6.com 

Nine people are injured and 25 children were taken to the hospital after an accident involving a school bus and three other vehicles in New Bedford Wednesday afternoon.

Around 3 p.m., police responded to the area of Acushnet Avenue and Ohio Street, where a female operating a black SUV was heading north on Acushnet when she crossed the marked lane and collided head-on with two vehicles traveling southbound before striking the school bus.

Witnesses say the female may have been distracted and looked to reach over towards her passenger seat at the time of the crash. She was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with visible head injuries and upper body trauma.

One of the vehicles struck had four occupants inside, two of which were elementary school children. The four were transported to St. Luke’s Hospital, three with visible injuries and the one complaining of pain, according to police.

The other vehicle struck, a small commercial truck, was occupied by a male driver who was not injured.

28 children from at least three different schools, of both the elementary and middle school age, were on the bus at the time, three of which were injured and transported to St. Lukes. The other 25 children were transferred to the hospital as a precaution.

Police say the female operator of the SUV will be cited for the marked lanes violation and may face others pending the investigation by New Bedford Police.

© WLNE-TV 2015