2 preschoolers injured in fatal Sullivan County school bus crash
The Sullivan West Central School District says the children were on board a yellow Rolling-V school van when it collided on Route 52 with another district bus.
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Authorities are continuing to investigate a fatal school bus crash that injured two preschoolers and killed their driver Monday morning in Sullivan County.
The collision happened in the rural community of Jeffersonville on Route 52. News 12 spoke to several people nearby who said they either heard the crash or saw rescuers rushing to help.
“Everyone responded,” says Jessica Brooks. “There were sirens left and right, going and going.”
Officials say two Sullivan West preschoolers were inside a Rolling V mini school bus when their driver crossed the double yellow line and struck a full size First Student bus, carrying a driver and monitor who officials say were unhurt.
The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation and shared photos of the mangled mini-bus and the larger, damaged bus on Facebook.
People who live in the rural community say they’re shocked by the tragedy.
“It’s impacted a lot of people,” says Scott Egan.
Officials say the two children injured were headed to a county-run speech and occupational therapy program operated out of the White Sulphur Springs school building.
The crash comes on the heels of weeks of intense community scrutiny about school bus safety after several school buses in Orange and Rockland counties were seen in videos driving recklessly and four children were struck by school buses in Ramapo.
Authorities in Sullivan County haven’t said what led to the crash but the investigation is ongoing.
District and county officials, along with the community, say their thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved.
“It’s been really bad for everybody,” Egan says.
Authorities say one of the children hurt is still in the hospital and that the other child was treated and released.
