Paramus Student Recounts Chaotic Bus Crash Scene

PARAMUS, NJ — A survivor of the fatal East Brook Middle School bus crash on Interstate 80 Thursday described a chaotic scene inside the bus immediately after the crash.

Two people, a student and a teacher, were killed in the crash, Bergen County Executive James Tedesco announced.

"I heard a scraping sound and we toppled over onto the highway," fifth-grader Theo Ancevski told the Daily Record. "A lot of people were screaming and they were hanging from their seat belts."

Ancevski said people got out of the bus through windows and the vehicle's emergency exit.

Bergen County Executive James Tedesco confirmed at press conference Thursday that two people, a student and a teacher, were killed in the crash.

Mayor Richard LaBarbiera said there were "no words" to describe the "horrific day."

"Keep students, families, teachers, East Brook, and Paramus in your prayers," LaBarbiera said.
The East Brook Middle School Parent Teacher Association could not immediately be reached for comment.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5th) said his "heart is breaking for the children and families" involved in the crash.

"On a day when students from East Brook Middle School should have been enjoying their class trip, instead, they experienced every parent’s worst nightmare. As a father, I am praying for every parent, child, teacher, friend, and administrator, and I know that we will all be hugging our kids extra tight tonight," Gottheimer said. "I join the Paramus community as they come together to support all of those affected in this tragedy -- especially the two families who lost loved ones today."

Related: Teacher, Student Confirmed Dead In Paramus Field Trip Bus Crash

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Image: Emergency personnel work at the scene of a fatal Paramus school bus crash on Interstate 80 in Mount Olive Thursday morning. (By Avi Gibli, used with permission)