Police: First Student school bus with children on board crashes into tree in Exeter

EXETER — Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a crash Monday afternoon involving a school bus that was carrying 13 students at the time.

Officers responded to the area of 115 Linden St. at approximately 2:42 p.m. for a report of a school bus accident. According to a preliminary investigation, officers determined that the bus, which was operated by First Student, had struck a tree on the right side of the roadway. A mailbox at a nearby property was also hit.

The Exeter Fire Department responded to the scene and evaluated two students who complained of minor head pain resulting from the accident. The bus driver was treated for a hand injury.

Police said the students aboard the bus, whose ages ranged from 11 to 14, were standing outside by the time officers arrived.

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The bus sustained significant damage to the front right side. The side door was unable to open, which forced all occupants to exit via the rear door.

Following the crash, First Student sent a second bus to the scene, which picked up all of the students with the exception of a few that were released to their parents.

Police said the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Exeter police: First Student school bus crashes into tree