PASQUOTANK COUNTY, N.C. — Four students and a driver were injured when an Elizabeth City-Pasquotank school bus and another vehicle were involved in a crash on Thursday morning.
The incident occurred on Northside Road in Elizabeth City, where state police say the school bus driver failed to yield to an SUV.
Video News 3 obtained from the scene shows a Mercedes Benz SUV on the bed of a tow truck.
The bus driver was airlifted to Norfolk by Sentara's Nightingale ambulance helicopter, but her injuries are considered non-life-threatening.
Four of the 17 students on board the bus sustained minor injuries, and the SUV driver was not seriously injured.
A mother whose third-grade son was on the bus during the crash said he called her and told her what happened.
“He said him and his friends were scared and he was a little shocked by seeing the vehicle that was in the accident but all the kids are thankfully,” said Colleen Eason.
She added that school officials were on the scene shortly after the incident to make sure the kids were OK.
"I think everything was handled as best as could be possible for not knowing what was going to happen," Eason said.
Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools sent out a statement just before 9 a.m.
"This morning, bus 223 was involved in an accident while transporting students. Emergency Management responded immediately and the bus driver and some students that received minor injuries are being evaluated by medical professionals. Please know that student safety is always our top priority. We will provide further updates when more complete information becomes available."
Stay with News 3 for updates.