Crime & Safety

12 Children, 2 Others Hospitalized After NJ School Bus Crash: Authorities

Two trucks were also involved.

MONROE TOWNSHIP, NJ — A group of 12 kids and two adults were taken to the hospital on Thursday after a school bus was involved in a five-vehicle crash, the Monroe Township Police Department said.

According to a statement from the district, the bus was on a route that originated from Oak Knoll Elementary School and parents of students on the bus were immediately notified of the crash.

Officers responded near 730 N. Tuckahoe Rd. (County Route 555) for a report of a multi-car collision.

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Two commercial dump trucks and a school bus were among those involved.

Based on early evidence, it was determined that one of the trucks was driving north on N. Tuckahoe Road towards traffic that had stopped for a school bus.

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The driver did not stop and hit a car that had one adult and three kids inside.

That car was then pushed into another vehicle that had a woman in it, which then hit the back of a school bus.

The bus had nine kids and two adults on board.

The school bus then hit the back of another commercial dump truck after the driver was already trying to move out of the way, seeing what was going on behind him.

A child in the first car that was hit was trapped and had to be rescued by the fire department.

A witness, Erica Delviscio, of Sewell, told ABC she rushed to help and realized she knew people who were involved.

"She's like, 'Erica, please help me; my babies are stuck in the car,' the person who was involved said.

All 14 people who were taken to the hospital have been released or are in stable condition with non-critical injuries, according to authorities.

The district said all students who were involved have been released and counselors will be available on Friday to assist any students who may need to speak with a professional.

The business behind the two trucks is cooperating with police as the case is being reviewed. Multiple motor vehicle complaints were pending.

Overhead footage provided by ABC on Thursday showed the scattered vehicles spread across the street.

Anyone with information or who witnessed the crashes is asked to contact (856) 728-9800 (ext. 583).

Submissions can also stay anonymous through the department's website or by calling (856) 875-2940, according to authorities.

This is the second school bus crash in just days within the Gloucester County community.

On Wednesday, a bus and another vehicle collided in Washington Township along Pitman Downer Way. Read More: NJ School Bus Crash Hospitalizes 4 Kids, Authorities Say

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