Update, Friday: At Thursday’s press briefing, Public Information Officer Lt John Slusarz commented on the investigation into the bus crash that left several people, including seven adults with disabilities with broken bones, cuts and bruises.
“Obviously, one bus crossed the line,” Slusarz said to members of the local media, adding that the Police investigation involves an accident reconstruction effort.
“Injuries sustained to each person are all part of the reconstruction effort,” he said, adding that effort includes looking at the dashboard cam, damage at the scene, and specifically at injuries to individual bus passengers with relation to where they were sitting, and an analysis of roadway evidence. “All contribute to the reconstruction scene.”
“It all takes time and effort,” he said. “That will all lead to a conclusion.”
On Thursday night, Police Chief Heavey issued a statement:
Members from each of the Greenwich Emergency Services (Fire, Police, EMS, and Dispatch), as well as mutual aid assistance from Stamford EMS, contributed to an excellent outcome at a Mass Casualty Incident on 4/9/2019.
To sum it up: we took the call; sent the right people and equipment; the scene was made safe; victims were treated and transported from the scene; the investigation was conducted; the crash scene was cleaned up; the roadway was re-opened within a few hours.
By the time it was over, every aspect of a complicated and dangerous crash scene was buttoned up with a high degree of efficiency.
The private nature of a medical call often precludes public recognition of our partners in the Emergency Medical Services. We have the honor of being designated as the Town of Greenwich First Responder and work hand-in-hand with GEMS and we can attest to their high level of dedication, professionalism, and compassion.
A special thank you is in order for GEMS Paramedic Supervisor Erin Rickard who was the EMS Commander on the scene and embodied all of those qualities!
– Chief James Heavey
Update Wednesday 3:00pm, Information from Sacred Heart Greenwich:
The empty bus involved in yesterday’s accident on King Street was headed to Sacred Heart Greenwich to pick up students at the end of the school day and transport them home.
The bus is operated by a private transportation company on behalf of a town in New York state and is not a bus owned and operated by the School.
In an email to the Sacred Heart Greenwich community Tuesday night, Head of School Pamela Juan Hayes ’64 asked students and parents to keep those injured in the terrible accident in their prayers and thanked the Greenwich emergency services teams for their prompt response to the scene.
Update Wednesday 1:00pm: Police continue to investigate a serious bus crash that occurred on King Street Tuesday afternoon. Ten people were transported to area hospitals for treatment of injuries after the crash. Among the injured were seven adults with special needs. All of the injured are reported to be in good to fair condition.
Sgt. Patrick Smyth is leading the investigation. Anyone who has any information is asked to call him at 203-633-8015.
Update: 5:45pm: Greenwich Police Captain Kraig Gray said two buses were involved in the collission, one a yellow school bus coming from Convent of Sacred Heart, and the other a medium sized passenger bus carrying 10 disabled people.
The collission took place about 3:00pm. Gray said the school bus happened to be empty, except for the driver.
“It was a significant collision,” Gray said. “Everyone was injured in some way shape or form, including scrapes and bruises, broken bones and contusions.”
Gray said victims were transported to hospitals in Connecticut, and one was transported to a hospital in New York.
“There are serious injuries, but not life threatening at this point,” he said.
Gray said heavy duty wreckers are en route and he expects King Street should be back open by 7:30m.
The mechanics of the collision are still under investigation by GPD traffic section.
Original Story, 5:00pm: Greenwich Police have issued a traffic advisory around 4:30pm on Tuesday for the area of 1252 King Street.
The street is completely closed for a very serious accident.
“This will be an extended road closure for the investigation,” Police announced on Twitter.
Police are advising drivers avoid the area of Brunswick school (just south of Rye Lake Ave) and use alternative routes.