Bus overturns on NJ exit ramp; 19 hurt

WAYNE, N.J. — A tour bus from Canada carrying 57 people bound for a New York City church event overturned on a highway exit ramp in northern New Jersey and slid down an embankment early Saturday, injuring 19 who were aboard, authorities said.

Some windows burst during the collision and the frames pinned three people, but they were quickly freed and taken to hospitals with the other victims.

Eight people were listed in critical condition, but none of the injuries were considered life-threatening. Initial reports said 12 people were hurt.

Most of the victims were being treated for cuts, bruises and soreness. The driver told authorities he had a gash in his arm.

Passengers told the Star-Ledger of Newark that they were Seventh Day Adventists headed to an event in Brooklyn.

It was not immediately clear what caused the crash around 7:30 a.m. on Interstate 80 in Wayne. Those aboard included several children and an infant, authorities said.

Witnesses said injured passengers waited along the side of the exit ramp as emergency crews treated them, and several people with neck braces were soon loaded into ambulances. Passengers who were unhurt were put on another bus and continued their journey, authorities said.

The coach bus was from Toronto-based AVM Max 2000 Charter Services Inc., The Record of Woodland Park reported. A woman who answered the phone at the company's office told the newspaper the bus was full but declined to give more information. The phone there rang busy Saturday.

The accident backed up traffic in the area for hours while law enforcement officials and emergency services vehicles attended to the scene. Several highways connect there, and the area is known locally as the "spaghetti bowl," according to The Record newspaper.