At approximately 8:02 a.m. Tuesday, rescue crews responded to a serious motor vehicle crash on DE-896 at the intersection with DE-71. Upon arrival, first responders encountered a school bus on top of a passenger vehicle and a jersey barrier, prompting a large-scale emergency response.
Initial reports indicated that one motorist was heavily trapped in the vehicle beneath the bus. Delaware State Police Aviation also responded to the scene along with Christiana Care’s LifeNet helicopter.
The reports indicated that 14 students were aboard the school bus at the time of the crash. All were evaluated by emergency medical personnel at the scene and all initially refused transport. The students were temporarily relocated to a nearby veterinary facility, where representatives from the Appoquinimink School District reportedly arrived to assist.
At approximately 8:45 a.m., the bus driver, an approximately 75-year-old male driver of the bus was treated for neck, back and possible internal injuries. He was transported by Christiana Care Life Net Helicopter to Christiana Hospital in Stanton in serious condition.
By 9:45 a.m., Delaware State Police dispatched Trooper 5 to Christiana Hospital to retrieve blood supplies form the trauma center. At 9:56 a.m., Middletown Command reported that the trapped individual had been successfully extricated from the vehicle. Trooper 2, based in Georgetown, was also requested to respond, bringing the number of state police helicopters at the scene to three, was recalled shortly before arriving on scene. Multiple media helicopters were also observed in the area.
Just before 10:15 the 18-year-old female that had heavily trapped inside her sedan, for just under two hours, was transported to Christiana Hospital on board Delaware State Police Helicopter in critical condition with extremity and possible internal injuries.
As of 10:30, Motorists located between Bethel Church Road and the crash site remained trapped due to the extended closure of the roadway while crews continued their operations.
The Delaware State Police are leading the investigation into the crash. Further updates will be provided as additional details become available.