MONTVALE—A bus carrying passengers from Lakewood to New Square, N.Y. overturned on the Garden State Parkway near Exit 172 on Monday night, leaving many injured, including at least one child in critical condition.
The bus, which was transporting a group of young men and adults to a post-wedding celebration in New Square, a Hasidic village in the town of Ramapo, crashed around 7:30 p.m. Emergency responders, including New Jersey State Police, Pascack Valley EMS, Rockland Hatzolah—a Jewish volunteer ambulance service—and other first responders, arrived at the scene to find a chaotic and distressing situation. One individual was reportedly trapped beneath the wreckage, while others, though shaken, stood outside the bus awaiting medical attention.
Montvale Mayor Michael Ghassali stated that the yellow school bus was heading to New York State when it crashed at mile marker 170.9. Authorities confirmed that emergency personnel treated 29 young men and two adults for a range of injuries. Of the 31 total occupants, 13 were transported to local hospitals, while one victim—a child, said Ghassali at around 9:30 p.m.—was transported to a trauma center for urgent medical care.
In a Facebook post, Ghassali noted that no fatalities had been reported, adding that the most seriously injured individual “now has a pulse” after initial life-saving efforts. Around 9:30 p.m. he began referring all inquiries to the New Jersey State Police.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all first responders and the neighboring towns’ first responders for their swift assistance. Special thanks to Rockland Hatzoloh Ambulance Service for arriving on the scene to help,” Ghassali said in a statement emailed to residents.
CBS News said: “The bus, which was traveling to New York, was seen on its side facing the wrong way on the highway and skid marks were visible on a nearby embankment, Chopper 2’s Dan Rice reported.”
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said he has been briefed on the crash, confirming that state police and the Department of Transportation are actively responding at the scene, which is near the James Gandolfini Service Area, which only recently reopened following a years-long, $250 million overhaul project
Community members have taken to social media, sharing updates and calling for prayers for the victims and first responders. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and more details will be provided as the story develops. There are incident photos at Monsey Scoop, which covers the greater Rockland County region.
Update: March 11 at 7 a.m. Ghassali reports:
A 14-year-old boy is fighting for his life this morning after being pinned under the overturned bus on the Parkway.
The information I have is that the Woodcliff Lake Fire Department was the first to arrive at the scene, coming from another fire call, and assisted the Montvale Volunteer Fire Department and other firefighters in lifting the bus to rescue the boy and the other 28 boys and two adults. The Paramus Fire Department dispatched a heavy-duty tow vehicle to provide additional support. Our Tri-Boro Volunteer Ambulance Corps also responded promptly to the scene.
Rockland Hatzoloh Ambulance Corps transported all 13 boys to local hospitals.
Although a comprehensive list of responding departments is not yet available, we are deeply grateful for their efforts.