Seven Mars Area Elementary School students and a driver were injured Thursday morning when their bus crashed in Adams Township.
Butler County 911 dispatch said a bus carrying 30 to 40 students hit a tree head-on around 8:30 a.m. on the 1600 block of Three Degree Road.
A UPMC spokesperson told TribLive news partner WTAE three students were sent to UPMC Children’s Hospital and four were sent to UPMC Passavant. All seven have been discharged.
There is no word on the driver’s condition.
In a statement released hours after the crash, the district said all students who were on the bus have been evaluated by medical personnel, and their families have been contacted.
Those deemed not injured were placed on another bus and continued on to school, where they were checked by a school nurse before reporting to class.
Social workers will be available to students for the rest of the school day Thursday and again on Monday.
District guidance counselors also will be available Friday if needed, despite an in-service day being scheduled.
“The District would like to thank our first responders and school personnel for their quick and diligent response to this accident,” the statement read. “In addition, we appreciate your patience and cooperation as we make every effort to safely transport your children to and from school.”
The incident was declared a mass casualty event to more effectively marshal emergency resources. First responders from Allegheny County assisted at the scene.
State and Adams Township police are investigating the crash.
