Children hurt when two Bridgeview grade school buses crash in Justice

Several elementary school students were sent to hospitals with minor injuries Wednesday after two school buses collided in southwest suburban Justice.

The crash happened about 6:30 a.m. when a northbound school bus on 85th Avenue turned west onto 79th Street and struck the side of another bus occupied by five students, according to Justice police Sgt. Fred Schuerg. The turning bus did not have students aboard.

Three children were taken to hospitals with minor injuries including scratches, according to Schuerg. One bus had significant front-end damage and the other had a broken drive-shaft. Both had to be towed from the scene.

Indian Springs School District Supt. Blair Nuccio said the students were headed to an extended-day math program at Bridgeview Elementary School. He said the students were fine, and were taken to hospitals as a precautionary measure.

“Our number one priority is our student’s safety and welfare,” Nuccio said. “I’m happy to say that everyone’s OK.”

First Student Inc., which the school district said employs the bus drivers, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.