Ramapo Police Probe School Bus Crash In New Hempstead: Update

NEW HEMPSTEAD, NY — A school bus crashed into a utility pole, two parked cars and a house Thursday morning, injuring several children and the driver, according to Ramapo police.

At 8:57 a.m. the bus scraped a utility pole, crashed into a tree, careened across a driveway and into the unoccupied cars, before bumping down a hill, striking several more trees, and then smashing into the house at 37 N. Southgate Drive, police said.

Police said they believed 22 people were on the bus including the driver.

Emergency responders in Rockland County were called in, including the Hillcrest Fire Department and several ambulance corps including Hatzoloh.

Seven students were transported to Westchester Medical Center, including five boys with bumps and bruises and two 5-year-old boys with more serious but non-life-threatening injuries, police said. The driver, 37, was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital with an abrasion on his head. He was tested and showed no signs of impairment, police said.

Rockland County legislators Jay Hood Jr., Aney Paul, Itamar Yeger, Aron Wieder, Toney Earl, Phil Soskin, Alden Wolfe, Michael Grant and Harriet Cornell issued a statement.

We are saddened to learn that there may have been injuries in this morning’s bus crash in Ramapo and hope and pray that all involved - the children, drivers and any passengers - make a swift recovery. We thank everyone who rushed to aid those involved in this terrible accident.

Witnesses said the bus dragged the parked vehicles for some distance, Yeshiva World reported.

News 12 reported that Orange & Rockland Utilities was called for downed wires and building inspectors would assess damage to the house.

Rockland buff posted photos and information on its Facebook page:

The Ramapo Police Department's Crash Investigation Unit was still at the scene at 1 p.m.