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The 15-passenger bus, which was transporting students to Pine Island Elementary School, swerved off the road in the area of 421 Pulaski Hwy. in Pine Island, went up a berm, and tipped onto its side, according to Orange-Ulster BOCES district officials and the Town of Warwick Police Department.
The students aboard ranged in age from 6 to 12 years old. The driver and bus monitor were also on the bus at the time, police said, also adding that every passenger was able to get out before EMS crews arrived.
No other vehicles were involved in the incident, which occurred at around 8 a.m., police and school officials said.
An Orange-Ulster BOCES administrator and two teachers arrived at the scene alongside emergency responders. As a precaution, all nine students were taken to hospitals for evaluation. Four students were transported to St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick, while five students were taken to Garnet Health Medical Center in Middletown.
The crash caused Pulaski Highway to close until around 10 a.m. on Monday morning.
Officials ensured that all families were quickly notified and reunited with their children.
Duane Lopez, Director of Safety and Security for Orange-Ulster BOCES, visited both hospitals and stated that the students appeared to be in good spirits. He also confirmed that all of the children were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
The Town of Warwick Police Department is investigating the cause of the accident. The bus, which is operated by West Point Tours on behalf of Newburgh Schools, had no reported mechanical issues before the incident, according to school officials.
"We know that this was a very scary event for our students, and in the coming days and weeks ahead we will make sure they receive any support they might need," said Deborah McBride Heppes, Chief Operating Officer of Orange-Ulster BOCES.
"We also extend our gratitude and appreciation for the first responders who assisted at the scene," McBride Heppes continued.
The Pine Island Elementary School Satellite Program serves students with disabilities from kindergarten through sixth grade across Orange-Ulster BOCES’ component districts.
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