Posted: Mar 12, 2012 8:06 AM EDTUpdated: Mar 12, 2012 10:21 AM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS -
Indianapolis Metro Police tell us a bus driver and a child are dead following a school bus crash earlier this morning. At least 12 others on the bus were injured, two of them critically.
It happened just before 8:00 a.m. in the 900 block of Emerson Avenue, near Southeastern Avenue. Pictures from Chopper 13 show the front of the school bus smashed into one of the support pillars for a train bridge. It's unclear at this point why the bus driver lost control.
The driver of the school bus died at the scene along with a child. At least 12 others on the bus were injured and taken to nearby hospitals. Two children are listed in critical condition. The other ten children on board suffered bumps and bruises.
Wishard Hospital treated eight students for non-life-threatening injuries and Riley Hospital for Children is treating two patients. Mayor Greg Ballard visited the scene of the crash and was seen speaking to investigators. He posted to Twitter at 10:19 am, "Just visited Lighthouse Charter School.
Staff members are helping parents and students through the tragedy." No word yet on what caused the crash. Only the school bus was involved in the accident. It was raining at the time, but police investigators don't know if weather was a factor.
Mitch Gibboney witnessed the crash. He rushed to the bus afterwards to help the children get out. "They were pretty shook up. I'm pretty shook up," he said.
The school bus was transporting children to Lighthouse Charter School on Sloan Avenue, just north of Beech Grove. The bus was just two miles away from the school when the crash occurred. Students on the bus range in age from 5 to 16. Over 30 students were on the bus when the crash occurred. The students who were not immediately taken to local hospitals after the crash were checked out at the scene. After it was determined they were not injured, they were transferred to another bus to be reunited with their parents at the school.
By 9:30 am, parents were picking up their children at Lighthouse charter. One woman said she wanted to tell her ten-year-old son what happened herself. Many parents were visibly upset. One mother who drives her children to school says she's angry, and asked why seatbelts aren't used on buses.
Parents looking for information about the school bus and the children on the bus at the time of the crash are asked to call Lighthouse Charter School at 351-1534.
The bus is owned by Miller Transportation.