Nearly a dozen students were hospitalized after several buses were involved in a crash while transporting eighth graders to Six Flags Great America for a field trip Tuesday, officials said.
According to Illinois State Police, the crash involving at least three school buses took place shortly after 8:30 a.m. on northbound Interstate 55 at mile marker 246 in Grundy County.
There, police said school buses were traveling in the right northbound lane “as traffic slowed to a stop.” One of the buses was unable to stop in time, hitting another bus and setting off a chain reaction that sent the second bus crashing into a third.
A total of 11 children were transported to area hospitals with minor injuries, according to police.
Morris Hospital confirmed two students were transported to their hospital, none in serious condition, while Silver Cross Hospital said four patients were transported to their emergency room.
Authorities said no other vehicles were involved and the remaining students returned to their school and were released to their parents.
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The bus driver who triggered the crash was charged with failing to reduce speed to avoid a crash, according to state police.
The right lane of I-55 was closed for hours after the crash, but reopened at 12:20 p.m.
NBC Chicago
