School bus crashes into house

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A school bus crashed into a home on West Woodside Avenue in South Buffalo, Thursday just before 8 a.m.  The bus was headed to Lorraine Elementary School .  Witnesses at the scene tell News 4 that the kids on the bus were screaming and the female bus driver was "hysterical."

Rural Metro says two adults and 19 children were on board the bus. It's believed that two people were inside the home; neither were harmed. Four children were taken to Women and Children's Hospital and the bus driver was taken the Mercy Hospital.

The bus was operated by First Student.  They tell News 4 that the driver has been employed by them since 1995 and this was her first incident.  While there have been no charges filed, she has been suspended pending the outcome of an internal investigation.  First Student is also helping police with their investigation.  Investigators will review footage from a video camera inside the bus to learn more about what caused the accident.

The SMART team reported to the scene; they primarily help assess and handle school bus accidents.

  >>  See a photo gallery from the crash scene

News 4's Nalina Shapiro talked to the father of two students who were on the bus. He said his daughter was taken to Women and Children's Hospital, and his son was placed on another bus going to transport him to school.

Neighbors at the scene say they heard a loud noise Thursday morning and exclaimed “Oh my God!” when they saw what happened.

One witness says they saw the bus fly into the air after he says the bus struck some gravel at the site of some construction in the road.  Officials say the glaring sunlight may have blinded the driver and she may not have seen the large pile of gravel in the road.

According to Buffalo Police, the contractor for the sidewalk project is Master's Edge. Buffalo Police spokesperson Mike DeGeorge said, "As per the contract with the city, the contract prohibits dumping or storing gravel on a city right of way. The contractor is therefore responsible for any damages incurred as a result of this accident."

Sources tell News 4 the driver of the school bus was traveling below the speed limit, only around 18 MPH, when she crashed into the home.

Just before 9 a.m. the students who remained at the scene were placed on another school bus.