School bus, car collide head on in Saint John

Saint John police are investigating a head-on collision between a school bus carrying elementary students and a car in the city's north end Wednesday afternoon.

Officers responded to Kennebecasis Drive in Millidgeville around 2:45 p.m., after the eastbound bus and westbound car collided, said acting Staff Sgt. Matthew Weir.

Severalstudents were on the bus at the time, but no injuries have been reported, he said.

Both vehicles did, however, sustain significantdamage, said Weir.

A photo from the scene shows the crushed nose of the bus, with the front tire on the driver's side crumpled underneath.

Ablack sedan, with a smashed front end,is in the opposite lane, perpendicular to the bus, surrounded by fluid and scattered pieces of jagged metal.

The crash also interrupted traffic between Beach Crescent and Tucker Park Road for more thanan hour.

The cause is still under investigation, butthe driver of the car is expected to face "multiple violations" under the Motor Vehicle Act, according to Weir.

The bus was transporting K-8 students from Centre scolaire communautaire Samuel-de-Champlain, saidFrancophone South school district spokespersonGenevive Chiasson.

"Fortunately, according to the information we have received, there were no injuries among the students or staff on board," she said in an emailed statement.

A replacement bus was promptly sent to the scene to transport the studentshome, said Chiasson.

"The safety and well-being of our students are our top priorities, and we are ensuring that all necessary steps are being taken to address the situation," she said.