Six children were killed when a school bus ran off the road in Chattanooga, in the southeastern US state of Tennessee, local authorities said last night.
The bus was carrying 35 children from Woodmore Elementary School, ages kindergarten through fifth grade, when the accident happened at around 15.30:22.30 p.m. local time yesterday (XNUMX:XNUMX p.m. CET). The bus overturned on its side and hit a tree.
Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher said a crash like this is any public safety professional's "worst nightmare."
"I hope with all my heart that there are no more casualties, but I don't know the condition of the children who are in the hospital," said the police chief, adding that at least 25 bus passengers were taken to nearby hospitals.
Fletcher said no other vehicles were involved in the crash.
The bus driver, 24-year-old Johnthony Walker, was taken into custody and is being questioned, Fletcher said. He said that the hearing refers to driving speed as the most likely cause of the accident, and added that the road was passable and dry and that there were no traffic problems at the time of the accident.
The district attorney told local media that five people died on the spot and one in the hospital.
Chattanooga Police Assistant Tracy Arnold said the names of the children who died will not be released until their parents are notified.
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam said this was a tragic event and offered help.
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