About two dozen children suffered "very minor injuries" when a school bus rear-ended a car near a construction zone on Interstate 384 westbound in Manchester, according to state police.
Manchester fire officials said the bus was carrying 26 children and two adults from Bolton Elementary School to East Hartford at the time of the crash, which happened around 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Although authorities are still investigating, police said it appears the bus rear-ended a passenger car on the highway between exits 3 and 4. Fire officials said a third car was also involved in the crash.
The collision appears to have occurred in a work zone on the highway. According to the Department of Transportation, bridge inspection was scheduled in the area of exits 4 and 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and the speed limit has been posted at 45 mph.
The bus, operated by First Student, was driving students from a Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) school, according to a spokesperson for the bus company. First Student is cooperating with police and will conduct an internal investigation into the crash. The driver has been removed from duty until the investigations are complete.
Fire officials said 25 children on board the bus were taken to local hospitals for treatment of minor injuries or as a precaution. Two adults and one child from the passenger cars were also hospitalized for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
