12 students injured after school bus crash in Boone County

FOX 32 NEWS - On Wednesday, frightened parents rushed to the scene of a school bus crash after the bus tipped over when it collided with a car.

The crash happened at 3:30 p.m. in Boone County near Orth and Beloit roads. Twelve middle school students were injured.

Some of the injured students were brought to Swedish American Hospital in Belvedere where they were being treated for their injuries. But when you see the pictures and dramatic video of the crash that caused the injuries, you can bet there were some really frightened kids on board the bus.

A security camera pointed at the intersection where the crash happened captured the fateful moments just before a blue car pulled up to the intersection. Then, inexplicably, it pulled in front of the oncoming bus that smashed into it. The bus then slid off the road, tipping over on its side.

Students from Belvedere Middle School who were headed home were on board at the time. The mother of one 11-year-old boy said he called her and said there was a loud boom, and then a screeching sound and then the bus tipped over on its side. The crash sent students flying on top of one another inside the bus.

Twelve students were injured and had to be taken to hospitals in Belvedere and Rockford. But fortunately, none of the injuries were life-threatening.

FOX 32 talked to the man whose security camera captured the video. Michael Loftus told us there's been four accidents in that same location in the last month, and that the sheriff told him there have been 30 in the last year.

The intersection will become a four way stop very soon.