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8 Injured In School Bus Crash In Magnolia, Del.

MAGNOLIA, Del., (CBS) -- Delaware State Police are investigating a crash that involved a school bus and injured eight Monday morning.

The accident happened at about 8:10 a.m. at Walnut Shade Road and Millchop Lane in Magnolia.

Investigators say a 2011 Blue Bird school bus with 42 children on board from Nellie Stoke Elementary – Caesar Rodney School District was traveling northbound on Millchop Lane approaching the stop sign at Walnut Shade Road.  Investigators say the school bus driver came to a stop and then proceeded into the intersection to turn left and travel westbound on Walnut Shade when he pulled into the path of a PT Cruiser.  The driver of the PT Cruiser applied her brakes in an attempt to avoid striking the school bus, but struck the left side near the rear axle.

The bus continued westbound for about 50 feet dragging the Chrysler in a counter-clockwise manner before coming to a stop in the westbound lane, according to investigators.

Five children on the bus ranging from ages six to 11-years-old were taken to Kent General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.  The remainder of the children were transferred to a separate bus at the scene and continued on to Nellie Stokes Elementary School.

Investigators say the school bus driver, James Bennett, 72, of Camden-Wyoming, was properly restrained and not injured in the crash. Bennett was cited with Failure to Remain Stopped at a Stop Sign.

The driver of the PT Cruiser, Sharon Hunter, 60, of Harrington, was properly restrained, and was extricated from the car.  She was taken to Kent General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.  Her two grandchildren, who were also properly restrained, were also taken to the hospital for precautionary measures.

Walnut Shade Road was closed between Barney Jenkins Road and Peachtree Run for about two hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.

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