Vernon School Bus Crash: 1 Student Still In Hospital, Investigation Ongoing

VERNON, CT — One student remained in an area hospital Friday following a school bus crash on Route 83 in Vernon the previous afternoon, Superintendent of School Joseph Macary said.

In a conversation with Patch, Macary also said the incident is a reminder to the community to "drive like your own kids are on the bus," during pick-up and drop-off times. Macary was also clear that he was not blaming anyone for the incident. An investigation will sort that out, Macary said.

The injuries to the students were being described as non-life-threatening,

Here is a letter distributed to the community after students were dismissed Friday:

Dear Vernon Families,

The health and safety of our students and staff is our top priority. Yesterday, Skinner Road School Bus No. 43 was in an accident with six students on-board and the driver. Five of the students went to area hospitals along with the bus driver. As of today, five of the six students are home with their families. The School and District has been in contact with the families. There is still one student at the hospital. Please keep the students and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

The Vernon Public Schools has started an investigation and are working collaboratively with the Vernon Police Department and First Student Bus Company. In light of this event, I have a personal request for our community … School buses are yellow for a reason – they signify caution when driving near them as they are picking up, transporting, and dropping off students. Please ‘spread the word’ with families and friends about the importance of safe driving, especially around school buses. Together, we can make Vernon a safer place in and out of schools for our children. Thank you for your consideration.

Joseph P. Macary, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Town of Vernon, Connecticut

The crash took place between Bus 43 and a commercial van at 3:35 p.m. at the Route 83-Pleasantview Drive intersection. Police found the the van with heavy front-end damage and the bus with driver's side rear damage, including a shattered window.

First responders immediately went to work checking the children aboard the bus and the drivers, town officials said. The injured students, the bus driver and the van driver were sent to area hospitals.

Route 83, from Dobson to Pitkin roads, was closed as police, firefighters, and EMTs handled the scene. The road was back open and clear of debris shortly after 5:30 p.m.