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At least 8 students hurt in school bus crash

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

(Little Neck - WABC, May 1, 2007) (WABC) -- Officials say eight children and two adults were injured when a mini school bus collided with a burlgary suspect in the Little Neck section of Queens Tuesday afternoon. The suspect and one police officer also suffered minor injuries.

Following the head on collision, the bus crashed into a tree and flipped onto its side at the intersection of Douglaston Parkway at Van Zandt Avenue just after 2:30 p.m.

Eight children were hurt, but none of the injuries were considered life threatening, according to EMS. The bus driver and bus matron were also injured. One police officer suffered a hand injury.

Six people were reportedly taken to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. Five others were taken to Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, officials said.

One of the students in the accident talked to Eyewitness News reporter Lucy Yang on Tuesday night about what happened on his ride home.

"We went down, down and around ... I think we were going to die," student Justin Simonian said. "Everybody was screaming ... I was brave."

The suspect, who police say tried to run from the scene, suffered leg and foot injuries and was taken to Flushing Hospital. He was then taken to the police precinct in Queens for questioning later in the night.

The suspect was wanted for questioning in the burglary of an off-duty police officer's home, according to police.

A member of the NYPD's Queens Task Force reportedly spotted the suspect's allegedly stolen car at Northern Boulevard and Douglaston Parkway.

Authorities say the suspect left Northern Boulevard with police in pursuit and crashed head-on into the minibus. The bus was forced into a tree and subsequently overturned.

According to the New York City Department of Education, the school bus involved in the accident was provided by a DOE contractor, but was carrying students from a private special education program at the Lowell School on 32nd Avenue in Queens. The kids were reportedly on their way home.

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