NYC-bound commuter bus, school bus, crash in NJ

NYC-bound commuter bus, school bus, crash in NJ

OLD BRIDGE, N.J. (AP) — A New York City-bound commuter bus hit a mini school bus from behind, knocking it onto its side, and then slammed into a tree, injuring at least 17 people, two critically, authorities said.

No students were on the Old Bridge school bus, which was on its way to pick up children at an apartment complex, officials said.

The tree caved in the front of the commuter bus, shattering its windshield and pinning the driver’s legs. A large branch protruded from the vehicle’s roof.

The accident occurred one day after a high-speed commuter ferry from New Jersey crashed into a dock in Manhattan, injuring dozens.

The Academy Bus was about midway through its route from Toms River to Wall Street in Manhattan, with four stops left on the run, said Joe Orlando, spokesman for Academy Bus. He didn’t know how many passengers were aboard though he said the bus could carry 55.

The driver of the 24-passenger school bus and an aide were able to escape out a roof hatch, police said.

Orlando said none of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening.

The most seriously injured victims, the 42-year-old male driver of the commuter bus, and a 31-year-old female passenger, were reported in critical condition at Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center. Fifteen others were in stable condition at branches of Raritan Bay Medical Center, a hospital spokesman said.