Students injured in school bus crash in Bridgeport

Bridgeport, Conn. (WTNH) - Several ambulances were called to the scene of a school bus crash in Bridgeport on Monday afternoon.

The bus, which was carrying children from the Park City Magnet School, hit a utility pole at the corner of Trumbull Avenue and Chopsey Hill in Bridgeport.

The front right side was crunched in, the side view mirror smashed, and the front mirror was barely hanging on. The car hit the bus with enough force to rip open a hole near the front grill.

"It crashed us into that wooden pole over there and then some of the kids on the bus got injured," said fifth grader Ya'Imihraiy James. "...I've got a headache."

"It pushed us over and we all hit the side of the pole," said third grader Saraiha James, "and I got injured cause my neck hurts now."

Many parents rushed to the scene to make sure their children were okay, though at least half a dozen were not. The children were checked out by paramedics on the bus, then several were taken by ambulance to the hospital.

The school had contacted the parents right away saying there was a minor accident.

"But when I got here, you know, it seemed a little bit more than minor," said Cheryl Molina. "As a mom, you know, it's scary."

Even those that were not hurt say it was quite an ordeal.

"It was really scary cause people were hitting their heads on the windows and stuff," said sixth grader Chynna Molina. "A lot of the little younger kids, they were scared and they were crying."

The kids tell News 8 there was another car involved in the accident, a green one, that was itching to get past the slower-moving school bus.

"Well, there was a car coming and the bus driver was trying to move over so he can come," said second grader Tonet Molina.

When the car sped around the bus the driver veered over, and that's when he smashed into the utility pole. It was a wild ride for the students, especially for two who were first-time riders.

"Accidents do happen," said Cheryl Molina, "but today being their first day catching the bus, it's like, now I'll have to rethink if I'm gonna allow them to catch the bus anymore."

Parents now want to know why the driver swerved over in the first place, letting the car pass and putting their children in harm's way.

"They can wait, you know, you learn that in driving school," Molina said, "they can wait or they can go around you."

The car that was involved in the accident sped off from the scene. It's not clear who is to blame. Police are still investigating.