NJ school bus crash kills trooper's daughter

A person who was briefed on the investigation said the girl who was killed is a triplet and that her two sisters were also on the bus

By Beth DeFalco
Associated Press

CHESTERFIELD, N.J. — Authorities say a collision between a school bus and large dump truck south of Trenton, N.J., has left one girl dead and at least three other schoolchildren in critical condition.

A spokeswoman at Camden's Cooper University Hospital, which has a trauma unit, says it received three of the most seriously injured students and they are now listed in critical condition.

Investigators view the scene of a school bus crash in Chesterfield, N.J. State police at the scene of the school bus crash say a child has died in the accident, and that the child is the daughter of a state trooper. The bus collided with a dump truck at about 8:30 a.m. at a Route 528 intersection in Chesterfield. (AP Image)

State police have identified the girl killed in the Chesterfield accident as the daughter of a New Jersey state trooper.

A person who was briefed on the investigation tells The Associated Press the girl who was killed is a triplet — and that her two sisters were also on the bus. One was seriously injured and the other had minor injuries.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release details.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

A school bus carrying elementary school children collided Thursday with a dump truck, killing a student who is the daughter of a state trooper and injuring several other children, authorities said.

The accident occurred at about 8:30 a.m. at a four-way intersection in the town of Chesterfield, south of Trenton.

A parent who came to pick up her bruised children said there were a number of injuries and that the students were hospitalized.

State police at the scene confirmed the death of the child and identified her as the daughter of a trooper, though no official announcement was immediately made.

School district officials also did not immediately provide any details. A police news conference was planned.

A boy being taken from the scene by his mother said "this big truck just came and slammed right into us." His mother did not want his name used.

The boy said the crash left some of his fellow students with bloody faces.

Students on the bus said they were wearing their seatbelts.

Gov. Chris Christie issued a statement saying his "thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved." He planned to comment further after more information was released on the accident.

The bus ended up upright against a large traffic signal pole at the intersection. The bus was crumpled where it hit the pole.

A large dump truck ran off the road and into a grassy area, where it left deep tire marks.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press