NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- Dozens of people were injured, three seriously, when a school bus carrying school bus drivers for the city's summer kids programs overturned on the Hutchinson River Parkway in the Bronx on Thursday morning, officials said.
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The bus flipped over on a northbound exit ramp of the parkway, just after the interchange to Bruckner Boulevard. A call about the crash came in just before 6 a.m.
FDNY Deputy Chief David Simms said 36 adult passengers on board the bus were injured and taken to area hospitals, mostly with bruising, neck and back injuries.
Most of the passengers suffered minor injuries, but three were in serious condition. None of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening. The driver refused medical attention.
In a statement, Mayor Eric Adams said the bus was carrying bus drivers for the city’s summer programming.
“The safety of every member of our community is our top priority and thankfully, at this time, no major injuries have been sustained on board,” Adams said, adding that no students were on the bus at the time.
“Families should expect that some bus routes this morning and afternoon will be delayed, and schools will be reaching out to families whose routes are impacted,” the mayor said. “Families experiencing delays should contact the transportation coordinator at their Summer Rising site or contact the DOE’s Office of Pupil Transportation call center at 718-392-8855.”
It appears the bus may have been taking a turn too fast as it exited the Hutchinson River Parkway to Bruckner Boulevard, but an investigation is ongoing.
The vehicle was on its side with its front hood open, windshield popped out and windows shattered.
The crash and emergency response blocked several lanes of the northbound Hutchinson River Parkway as well as the exit to Bruckner Boulevard. Major traffic delays were reported in the area throughout the morning.
