SPRING TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WJAC) — Three children and the driver of a Bellefonte Area School District bus were injured and taken to local hospitals after the bus hit a tree, that’s according to a joint statement from the school district and Spring Township Police Department.
The bus reportedly crashed into a tree, trapping the driver inside just before 8 a.m. Wednesday morning on the 2900 block of Greens Valley Rd., according to the release.
One neighborhood resident, Deborah Austin, recalled to 6 News, "I was leaving for an appointment, came down our lane, and our lane was completely blocked. Many ambulances, several fire trucks, and a school bus crashed into the tree."
They said eight children were on the bus and were able to free themselves before emergency crews arrived. Those first responders had to rescue the driver, which took a while, the release says. The front and driver's side of the bus were heavily damaged.
"I saw them trying to get the driver out," said Austin. "They tried different methods. They tried to go through the window, then they tried to take the windshield out, from what I saw."
"I was very scared for the children," she added.
Officials said in the release that three children were taken to Mount Nittany Medical Center with "non-life-threatening injuries." The driver was flown by helicopter to UPMC Altoona.
Officials at the crash told 6 News the bus was carrying Pleasant Valley Elementary School students. A school van took the uninjured children back to the school.
A parent said some of the children had cuts from broken glass.
Officials said in the release that the cause of the crash is under investigation, but cameras on the bus will be reviewed.
The BASD superintendent, the Pleasant Gap Elementary principal, and the Spring Township Police chief were not available for further comment.
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