NEW CASTLE COUNTY, DELAWARE (12/23/2014) State police say a school bus driver swerved to avoid an SUV that cut her off before the bus hit a light pole in the parking lot of Shue-Medill Middle School this morning.
The driver, and 11 children aboard were taken to a hospital with injuries after the crash about 7 a.m. in the 1500 block of Capitol Trail (Route 2) east of Newark.
Police said the white SUV, make and model unknown, fled from the parking lot.
The bus driver was identified by police as Arlene A. Holden, 60, of Newark.
There were 25 middle school children aboard the bus, said Cpl. Abigail E. Haas of New Castle County paramedics.
Firefighters from Aetna Hose, Hook & Ladder Company stabilized the bus so paramedics could treat the 11 students and driver who were complaining of injuries, Haas said.
John H. Farrell IV, spokesman for the fire company, said, “Deputy Chief Drew Bowerson arrived to find a school bus with heavy front end damage, perched up on the concrete buffer to the light pole, causing the vehicle to be unstable.”
Farrell said additional crews from several companies were called in to help stabilize the vehicle so those inside could be removed.
Haas said all of the injuries, including back pain and soft-tissue injuries, were believed to be minor.
The children were taken to Nemours/A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children in Rockland, and Holden was taken to Christiana Hospital in Stanton, by fire company ambulances.
Farrell said the other children were evaluated by the school nurse.
State police and the Christina School District are investigating the crash.
Other responding agencies:
- Mill Creek Fire Company
- Elsmere Fire Company
- Christiana Fire Company
- Minquas Fire Company of Newport
- Cranston Heights Fire Company
Farrell said a total of 12 firefighters and 18 emergency medical personnel were on the scene.