Eight Students Injured in Pa. Bus Crash

Oct. 13--EIGHT STUDENTS from Rhodes Elementary School had to be hospitalized yesterday morning after their school bus was struck by a car in North Philly.

Police said a motorist in a white Mercury blew past a stop sign at 20th and Dauphin streets about 8:15 a.m. and slammed into the bus.

The students, who ranged in age from 6 to 12, were admitted to St. Christopher's Hospital in stable condition with minor injuries. The driver of the bus was taken to Temple University Hospital in stable condition.

Initial reports indicated that the driver of the Mercury fled the scene on foot, but a police spokeswoman said last night that the driver had in fact stayed at the scene. A passenger in the car had to be extricated by firefighters, and was admitted to Temple hospital in stable condition.

No charges were filed as of last night against the driver of the Mercury, but the incident is still being investigated by the police Accident Investigation Division.

Fernando Gallard, spokesman for the School District of Philadelphia, said 18 students in all were on board the bus. The 10 students who didn't suffer injuries were put on another bus and taken to Rhodes, on Clearfield Street near 29th, but most were soon picked up and taken home by their parents.

"We're going to be deploying a crisis intervention team to the school for students who saw what happened, in case they need counseling," Gallard said.

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