Westwood, Massachusetts — A school bus carrying 15 students crashed into a tree Tuesday afternoon, sending one student and the bus driver to a nearby hospital, according to authorities.
The crash happened at approximately 3:37 p.m. local time on Sept. 22 near Downey Street and Phillips Brooks Road in Westwood, according to the Westwood Police Department.
A police officer arrived at the scene roughly one minute after the first 911 calls and found that the bus had struck a tree along the side of the road. Additional police officers and members of the Westwood Fire Department responded to the scene as emergency crews worked to assess everyone aboard.
15 Students Were on the Bus
Police confirmed that 15 students were aboard the school bus when it crashed.
Despite the impact, authorities said there were no reports of major or life-threatening injuries. One student was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries, while the driver was also transported for medical evaluation.
The driver’s condition was not immediately known. The crash occurred while the bus was completing an after-school route for local elementary school students.
Students Were Returning From School
Westwood Public Schools said the bus was transporting students from Downey and Pine Hill Elementary Schools when the accident occurred.
In a statement shared on social media, the school district confirmed that one student had been transported for treatment.
“One student was transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries; the driver of the bus was also transported,” the school district said in a statement.
The district did not immediately provide additional details about the student’s condition or the circumstances that led to the crash. The incident happened during the afternoon, when school transportation was carrying students home following the school day.
Emergency Crews Responded Quickly
The initial police response came shortly after the first emergency calls.
74-Year-Old Maryland Hunter Charged After Fatal Shooting of Woman He Allegedly Mistook for Deer
According to police, an officer arrived about one minute after the first 911 calls and discovered the bus had collided with a tree beside the roadway. More officers and the Westwood Fire Department subsequently arrived to assist at the scene.
The rapid emergency response allowed authorities to assess the students and driver and determine that there were no major or life-threatening injuries reported from the crash.
The location near Downey Street and Phillips Brooks Road was the focus of the emergency response as investigators began examining what happened.
Investigation Into Crash Remains Ongoing
Authorities have not released a cause for the crash.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing, and officials have not indicated whether weather, road conditions, a mechanical issue or another factor contributed to the collision.
The circumstances surrounding why the school bus left the roadway and struck the tree have not yet been fully established.
Investigators are expected to continue gathering information about the crash, including what happened immediately before the bus hit the tree.
For families connected to the two elementary schools, the incident comes as a reminder of the risks involved in daily school transportation, even when a crash does not result in serious injuries.
Student and Driver Were Taken for Medical Care
The most immediate concern following the crash was making sure everyone aboard the bus was evaluated.
While authorities said no major or life-threatening injuries were reported, one student required transportation to a hospital for minor injuries. The driver was also taken to a hospital, although officials had not released the driver’s condition.
No further injuries were reported in the information released by authorities. The investigation will now focus on determining what caused the bus to crash and whether any additional factors played a role.
The investigation is still developing. What do you think authorities should focus on as they work to determine what caused the school bus crash? Share your thoughts in the comments.
