Authorities: 6 Killed In Horrific Tenn. School Bus Crash

<p>Twelve passengers were killed when an elementary school crashed on Monday, CBS Chattanooga affiliate WDEF reported.</p>

Monday, November 21st 2016, 6:26 pm

By: News 9

Authorities: 6 Killed In Horrific Tenn. School Bus Crash

The district attorney said six people died in an elementary school bus crash on Monday.

Hamilton County District Attorney Neal Pinkston told media outlets that five people were killed at the scene and one died at the hospital. Melydia Clewell, spokeswoman for the district attorney, confirmed the number.

Police say the ages of the students ranged from kindergarten through fifth grade.

Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher said 35 students were on board on the bus when it crashed, according to CBS Chattanooga affiliate WDEF. At a news conference, Fletcher said that the bus was the only vehicle involved.

The Chattanooga Fire Department’s Public Information Director, Bruce Garner, said in a tweet that 23 patients were taken to hospitals in ambulances.

Colonel Tracy Trott of the Tennessee Highway Patrol tweeted that children were both killed and injured:

My heart goes out to the families of the children that were killed & injured in the school bus crash in Chattanooga this evening. TT
— Colonel THP (@THP_Colonel) November 21, 2016

The police department said the bus driver is cooperating in the investigation.

“We just wanted to inform you that Hamilton County schools faced a great tragedy today,” read a text message sent to parents in Tennessee’s Hamilton County on Monday, according to WDEF. “School and county personnel are on scene of a bus accident on Tally Road in Chattanooga. Extra counselors and support staff will be on hand to help students process this horrible incident.”

Shocking pictures posted to social media from the scene of the accident showed a tree slicing through the crashed school bus.

This is still an active scene. 23 patients were transported to local hospitals via ambulances. #ChattFire pic.twitter.com/7lCNicEkWx
— Chattanooga FireDept (@ChattFireDept) November 21, 2016

The police department said the bus driver is cooperating in the investigation.

Shocking pictures posted to social media from the scene of the accident showed a tree slicing through the crashed school bus.

This is still an active scene. 23 patients were transported to local hospitals via ambulances. #ChattFire pic.twitter.com/7lCNicEkWx
— Chattanooga FireDept (@ChattFireDept) November 21, 2016

","published":"2016-11-22T00:26:00.000Z","updated":"2016-11-22T01:57:05.000Z","summary":"

Twelve passengers were killed when an elementary school crashed on Monday, CBS Chattanooga affiliate WDEF reported.

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