A bus filled with Montclair High School students lost control and struck a tree - doing severe damage to the bus and fortunately, and to some of the students.
According to numerous kids, who had their cell phones and could text, the driver screamed he had lost control as they headed down a steep hill - and then slammed into a tree.
Some of the students were bleeding, and others were checked at local hospitals. Students reported many of them were flung from their seats upon impact.
They were on the bus as part of a trip to Camp Mason, a 65 acre site in Hardwick N.J. It is also a YMCA facility.
This is one lucky group of kids - it could have been much worse.
It should be noted that Montclair High School principal James Earle was in touch with parents immediately and created a sense of comfort and security for them, with his outreach.
Now the big question looms: Who allowed that bus to go out on the road with students if the brakes were not
working?
It was reported yesterday that 10 students were brought to area hospitals, near the accident - Hackettstown Regional Medical Center and Newton Memorial Hospital in Sussex County.
Updates will follow.
HERE IS OFFICIAL NEWS FROM MONTCLAIR SCHOOLS
Updated reports from law enforcement officials on the scene indicate that one of four buses taking 150 Montclair High School students on a field trip to Camp Mason experienced brake failure causing it first to collide with the bus in front of it, and then subsequently hit a tree.
Up to 10 students on that bus suffered what was reported as minor injuries and these 10 students were taken to two hospitals for treatment; Hackettstown Regional Medical Center and Newton Memorial Hospital in Sussex County. Parents were notified and district staff accompanied the students to the hospitals. Accounts from the scene reported that the bus driver and district staff did an amazing job responding to the problem and assisting the students.
All other students not taken for treatment were taken to Camp Mason where additional vehicles from the bus company picked them up in order to be returned to Montclair High School. They are expected to return safely to the high school between 2:45 PM and 3:15 PM. District nursing staff and others will be available to offer further assistance to the students when they return.
We realize parents may be receiving accounts from students, however, we are making every effort to deliver you the most accurate and official information as reported to us by authorities on the scene and we will continue to update you as details are released.
From the Montclair Public Schools:
Wed., Nov. 3, 2010: 11:30 a.m.
Montclair High School students in the Civics and Government Institute (CGI) on their way to a field trip to Camp Mason were involved in a bus accident this morning in Blairstown, New Jersey. At approximately 10 a.m. the bus experienced mechanical problems. As a precaution, eight students, whose parents have been notified, were taken to local hospitals. The remaining students are en route back to MHS. Counselors will be on hand at the High School to offer their assistance as needed.
