Students injured in school bus accident released from hospital

BELTZHOOVER, Pa. — Several students who were injured in an accident involving a school bus in the city’s Beltzhoover neighborhood were released Thursday afternoon.

Officials said the two-vehicle accident was reported about 8:30 a.m. on Warrington Avenue.

Investigators at the scene told Channel 11 News that a car crossed into the bus’ lane and hit into the bus, causing it to crash into a pole.

The bus was full with students on their way to South Hills Middle school at the time, officials said. Six students complaining of neck and shoulder pain were taken to UPMC Children's Hospital with minor injuries, and two others left school early because they didn’t feel well.

Channel 11’s Jennifer Tomazic reported that all of the students were released by 2 p.m.

The school’s principal and gym teacher were at the scene after the crash.

“You go on your heart based on taking care of children,” South Hills Middle School principal Deborah Cox said. “When I saw it, my heart was like, ‘Oh my gosh, my kids.’”

Gym teacher Lezlie Conway was driving behind the bus when it crashed.

“My car was still running because I just jumped out and ran down to make sure they were OK,” said Conway.

Students got out of the bus through the back door after the accident that pushed the bus’ hood up and cracked the windshield.

Conway said, “A lot of them were shaken, crying, so I tried to console them. That was mainly all I could do. I wish I could have done more because some of them were very shaken up.”

The bus driver and driver of the car were also taken to the hospital.

WPXI