Three students, driver injured when bus, Jeep collide on Chestnut Hill Road

Photos show principal damage done to both the jeep and school bus. (Rochester Police photos)

ROCHESTER - Three students traveling on a Wakefield School District bus were injured today when their bus plowed into a vehicle that had slowed for another one making a turn off of Chestnut Hill Road.

The collision occurred around 9:15 a.m. when police say a vehicle headed toward Spaulding High School slowed to make a right turn into Chestnut Hill Mobile Home Park. As a result, the vehicle following, a Jeep Patriot operated by Brandon Hanscom, 17, of Wakefield, slowed down and was rear-ended by the bus, which was operated by Kelley Bushman, 55, of Ossipee.

The bus, which was occupied by some 40 students, braked but slid on the snow-covered road and struck the Jeep, police say.

The bus was able to be driven from the scene, but the Jeep had to be towed.

The operator of the Jeep and the students were taken to Frisbie Memorial Hospital with what were described as non-life threatening injuries.