Crash Sends NJ Transit Bus Over Guard Rail

Three people are hurt after an accident involving a NJ Transit bus in Maple Shade, N.J.

Officials say the bus and an SUV were involved in a crash on East Kings Highway and Route 38 Wednesday night.

NJ Transit spokesman William Smith says the vehicle is an Access Link paratransit bus. According to Smith, the bus was coming off Route 38 and was on the ramp for Kings Highway when it was hit from behind by an SUV. The impact sent the bus over a guard rail and into an embankment.

While the driver of the SUV managed to escape the wreckage, the bus driver and a passenger were trapped inside. Fire crews carefully climbed inside the bus and rescued them.

"It was a very precise operation," said Maple Shade Fire Chief Kevin Greenfield. "We had to make sure none of our guys got hurt and make sure none of the people inside got hurt at the same time."

Crews then lowered the bus down a hill and onto a tow truck.

Officials say one person suffered serious injuries while two other people suffered minor injuries in the crash. According to Smith, two of the people injured were the bus driver and a passenger on board the bus.

Kings Highway eastbound was shut down after the crash. It has since reopened.

Paratransit buses serve passengers with disabilities.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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