School bus with children inside overturns in Islip

Officials say a school bus with children inside overturned in Islip Thursday.

News 12 Staff

Nov 21, 2019, 6:29 PM

Updated 1,662 days ago

Share:

Officials say a school bus with children inside overturned in Central Islip Thursday morning.

They say it happened just before 11:30 a.m.

The Islip Terrace Fire Department lieutenant says a car and minibus carrying seven children were involved in the crash on Islip Avenue and Locust Street.

Suffolk police tell News 12 the Suffolk Transportation bus was carrying children between 5 and 6 years old and heading south on Route 111 just before 11:30 a.m. when a 2007 Honda Civic, heading west on Locust Street hit the side of the bus.

News 12 is told that there were no serious injuries.

News 12's Thema Ponton spoke with the good Samaritan who was first on the scene and tried to get the kids out.

"The bus swerved, hit the car, you know, slightly on the back and then went right on to the lawn and flipped upside down,” says Nick Cortese, of Shirley. "I immediately got out of my car and it was a woman screaming there, she said, ‘There's babies on the bus, there's babies on the bus.’"

Cortese says he jumped over the fence and tried to pull the back door of the bus open, but it wouldn't budge.

That's when he says he called 911. Minutes later, Suffolk police officers were on the scene.

Police say the kids were taken to the hospital for evaluation. The bus driver and another adult on the bus had minor injuries.

Investigators tell News 12 the driver and passenger in the Civic were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Cortese says other people also stopped their cars and got out to help.

The children on the bus attend the Developmental Disabilities Institute. A spokeswoman for the institute says they are working with Suffolk Transportation to find out exactly what happened.

A spokesman for the bus company says all the children were wearing seatbelts and the crash is under investigation.


More from News 12
0:26
Police: 64-year-old woman struck in the face while sleeping inside Levittown home

Police: 64-year-old woman struck in the face while sleeping inside Levittown home

2:35
Dry conditions today for Long Island with highs in the 70s

Dry conditions today for Long Island with highs in the 70s

0:24
Man wanted for breaking into 2 Lindenhurst businesses and stealing $5,000 in cash

Man wanted for breaking into 2 Lindenhurst businesses and stealing $5,000 in cash

2:37
Main Street Long Island: Showcasing the best of Riverhead

Main Street Long Island: Showcasing the best of Riverhead

0:36
Nassau Community College teachers’ union to release documents showing top administrators gave themselves raises

Nassau Community College teachers’ union to release documents showing top administrators gave themselves raises

Is your dad awesome? Long Island tell us why your dad rocks!

Is your dad awesome? Long Island tell us why your dad rocks!

0:24
Police: Arrest made in May shooting in Manhasset

Police: Arrest made in May shooting in Manhasset

1:21
Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at North Fork Country Kids Animal Rescue

Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at North Fork Country Kids Animal Rescue

0:45
Parade and performances highlight 'Long Island Pride' celebration in Huntington Village

Parade and performances highlight 'Long Island Pride' celebration in Huntington Village

2:44
34,000 watch as India bests Pakistan by 6 runs at T20 Cricket World Cup in Nassau County

34,000 watch as India bests Pakistan by 6 runs at T20 Cricket World Cup in Nassau County

0:25
Liberty Water: Boil water order lifted for 5 Nassau communities

Liberty Water: Boil water order lifted for 5 Nassau communities

0:25
Suffolk police: Man shot twice during apparent road rage incident in Dix Hills

Suffolk police: Man shot twice during apparent road rage incident in Dix Hills

0:33
Police: Freeport man accused of driving drunk in Roosevelt with 3-year-old son inside car

Police: Freeport man accused of driving drunk in Roosevelt with 3-year-old son inside car

2024 Cricket World Cup on Long Island - Special Coverage

2024 Cricket World Cup on Long Island - Special Coverage

0:33
Nassau police: Oceanside street flooded due to fire hydrant damage in 2-car crash

Nassau police: Oceanside street flooded due to fire hydrant damage in 2-car crash

1:58
Several Baldwin restaurants impacted by water main break

Several Baldwin restaurants impacted by water main break

0:28
Police: Passenger killed, another seriously injured in Medford hit-and-run crash

Police: Passenger killed, another seriously injured in Medford hit-and-run crash

1:29
Doctors: Certain medications can make people susceptible to the heat

Doctors: Certain medications can make people susceptible to the heat

0:30
Police: 45-year-old motorcyclist killed in Old Brookville collision

Police: 45-year-old motorcyclist killed in Old Brookville collision

2:08
Nassau Legislature introduces bill to ban transgender women from female sports at county facilities

Nassau Legislature introduces bill to ban transgender women from female sports at county facilities