Ramapo bus crash: Boys sent home from hospital 'with positive signs of recovery'
NEW HEMPSTEAD — The two 5-year-old boys seriously injured when a school bus crashed into a house last week have been released from the hospital, Ramapo police said on Monday. The department is continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.
Capt. Daniel Hyman said police were told the 5-year-olds had been released following Thursday's multiple vehicle crash at 9 a.m. on North Southgate Drive.
They are "home with positive signs of recovery," Hyman said, adding the update came from people who know the families and not the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla.
Police said 21 students and the driver were injured when the school bus crashed into a house on North Southgate Drive. The Thursday morning crash occurred when the 37-year-old driver likely lost control of the bus as he came down the hill, police said.
The bus hit a minivan at the top of the hill and then skidded off the road, scraped a telephone pole, struck a tree, and continued through the driveway before hitting vehicles, police said. The bus then continued down the green hill through more trees before hitting the ranch-style house at 37 North Southgate Drive, police said. The bus landed on top of one vehicle.
Seven students were taken to the Westchester Medical Center, with five of them released after being examined for bumps and bruises, police said.
Police released scant details to preserve the integrity of the investigation.
Ramapo police, sheriff and state investigate crash
Hyman said the department's crash investigation teams continue to work on the crash. The state Department of Transportation has joined the inquiry since the agency has oversight over school buses involved in crashes.
The bus is registered to Congregation Talmud Torah, Hyman said.
"The name of the driver has not yet been released by the police department or the crash investigators because it is still an active investigation and this is for the purpose of maintaining the integrity of the open case," Hyman said.
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Portions of the lawn fronting 37 North Southgate Drive were ripped up as black skid marks and mud stained the road. Police Chief Martin Reilly said the department's crash investigation unit was combing over the accident scene to determine the cause and contributing factors to the crash.
"We are thankful that the bus didn't roll over," Reilly said Friday. "If it had, there most likely would have been catastrophic injuries."
Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations. Reach him at slieberm@lohud.com. Twitter: @lohudlegal.
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This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Ramapo school bus crash investigation continues as boys released
