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Kids, driver injured in school bus collision near Vankleek Hill

Truck driver charged with careless driving in school bus crash

Four children and a bus driver were sent to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after a transport truck rear-ended a school bus north of Vankleek Hill, Ont., Wednesday morning.

It happened around 9 a.m. on Highway 34, which connects the eastern Ontario community with Hawkesbury, Ont.

The students were headed to Pleasant Corners Public School, near the scene of the crash, according to the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB).

OPP said the bus driver was airlifted to hospital in Ottawa, while four kids were taken to a local hospital by ambulance.

All had non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.

Nineteen other children were taken to hospital in another bus as a precaution.

People in two other vehicles involved in the crash were not injured.

Buses home unaffected

Photos from the scene show damage to the rear of the bus, which came to rest off the road.

Children can also be seen huddled at the side of the road, surrounded by first responders and other adults.

The UCDSB said all parents of the children have been contacted and are at the hospital, along with school staff.

Route 34 is closed between Borris and Pleasant Corner roads, the OPP said in a tweet.

The school board said there will be regular school bus transportation at the end of the day and the roads should be open again by 1 p.m.

- with files from Giacomo Panico