7 students, driver injured after Mars elementary school bus crashes into tree in Butler County

ADAMS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Seven students and a bus driver were taken to the hospital after a school bus for the Mars Area School District crashed into a tree in Butler County.

PHOTOS: School bus crashes into tree in Adams Township

The crash happened a little after 8 a.m. Thursday morning in 1600 block of Three Degree Road in Adams Township. A mass-casualty incident was initially declared for crews to get enough EMS resources to the scene.

Mars Area School District superintendent Dr. Mark Gross said the all students on the bus at the time of the crash were evaluated by medics, and their parents were contacted.

“I was sitting waiting to make the left on Three Degree road to take my son to school and I noticed the driver positioned oddly over the wheel and right when I noticed that the bus veered off the left side of the road onto someone’s property and ultimately into a tree,” said Kelley Baumgartel.

UPMC originally confirmed to Channel 11 that they were treating two patients from the bus crash at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. At 3:17 p.m., UPMC provided an update saying that seven students were taken to a hospital.

“I hopped out and just ran up the hill and asked the kids what can I do,” said Rachel Brink who came upon the accident driving her own child to school.

Three children were taken to Children’s Hospital. They have all been released.

Four other patients were treated at UPMC Passavant Cranberry.

At 4:42 p.m. UPMC said all patients had been released.

“They were strong, supporting and loving and there were just moments of sheer terror from these kids, I’m worried about them long term because this was such a psychological event,” said Kelley Baumgartel.

The bus driver’s condition is currently not known. They were taken to Allegheny General Hospital.

Gross said students that were determined by medics to be “not injured” were placed on another bus to continue to school. When those students arrived at the school, they were checked by the school nurse before going to class.

“Emotions aside I just have to help them be strong for them and it was impressive to see the kids I was working with just how okay they were handling it and doing what they could to help each other,” said Rachel Brink.

Social workers will be available for any students who need assistance throughout the day on Thursday and Monday, Gross said. Friday is an in-service day for students but guidance counselors will still be available if needed.

“The District would like to thank our first responders and school personnel for their quick and diligent response to this accident. In addition, we appreciate your patience and cooperation as we make every effort to safely transport your child(ren) to and from school,” Gross said in a statement.

We reached out to the bus company AJ Myers & Sons who had no comment.

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