Friday, 02 May 2014 16:25
A 21-year-old Town of Cedarburg man crashed his car into a school bus Thursday in Grafton, injuring himself and several students.
Police said the man was driving north on Wisconsin Avenue at 3:54 p.m. when he went through a red light and struck a Riteway bus headed east on Falls Road.
Three students sustained minor injuries. Two were treated at the scene, and another was transported to a local hospital, where she was treated and released.
The man, who was alone in the car, had to be extricated from the vehicle when it became wedged under the side of the bus.
He was transported to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa. His condition was unknown Friday morning.
The bus was taking 25 students home on a regular after-school route.
Grafton police, firefighters and other emergency personnel, including Cedarburg crews, responded to the scene.
Grafton Fire Chief William Rice said the students were quickly removed from the bus because gasoline had spilled on the road. They were placed in a nearby bus and picked up by family members within an hour, he said.
Students who complained of injuries were checked by emergency personnel before being released, Rice said.
Grafton School Supt. Mel Lightner, who also responded to the scene, said officials did what they could to comfort the students, many of whom were emotionally upset by the accident.
“Bus accidents are very, very frightening, especially to children,” Lightner said.
“Fortunately, everyone responded quickly, and we were able to get them into the hands of their loved ones.”
Rice and Lightner praised the quick response of emergency crews and other officials.
“Under the circumstances, it was a very successful collaboration between Grafton and Cedarburg departments and local school officials, too,” Rice said.
“It could have been a lot worse.”
Police said the driver of the car was cited for failing to stop at the intersection.
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