School Bus Hits Suffield Building; Injuries Reported

SUFFIELD, CT — Eleven people were taken to hospitals with minor injuries after a school bus carrying students veered off South Grand Street and struck a building Thursday morning, according to Suffield police.

Officers responded to the area of 425 South Grand St. at approximately 9:49 a.m. Oct. 1 for a reported crash with possible injuries. Police identified the vehicle as a small school bus from Region 12 Schools.

An initial investigation indicated the bus was traveling north toward Mountain Road when it veered off the right shoulder and struck a building on that side of the road, police said.

“The people riding on the bus reported only minor injuries,” police said in a news release.

The Suffield Fire Department and Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association also responded. Chief Spencer of the ambulance association managed the assessment and transportation of patients at the scene, according to police.

Spencer reported that 11 people were transported by ambulance to two local hospitals for minor injuries. The release did not identify the hospitals or specify how many of those transported were students.

A representative of the Region 12 School District, located in the Shepaug Valley, came to the scene and assisted with the students, police said.

Police interviewed the relevant people at the scene, and the investigation remains ongoing. The release did not identify what caused the bus to leave the road or describe the extent of damage to the building.

South Grand Street has reopened, police said.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with information released by Suffield police.

For more Northern Connecticut news, follow Patch editor Jay Kenney.