Several hurt when school bus crashes into building in Queens

WOODSIDE (WABC) -- A school bus crashed into a building in Woodside, Queens Friday evening, injuring several people.

"The bus was up like this with this car under it pushing it," said Kenny Coyne, a witness.

Kenny Coyne heard a loud bang as he walked to his car in Woodside, Queens. He watched a school bus loaded with kids get pushed by a livery cab, slide into his car, and then bounce against the brick wall of the pizzeria at the corner of Roosevelt Avenue and 59th Street.

He credits firefighters with getting the elementary school aged students from voice charter school off the bus quickly and safely.

"I went across the street to the church said a prayer. 11 kids walked off that bus. That's all I care about. My car is insignificant," Coyne said.

"There were 15 kids on the bus. I believe they're all OK. They refused medical aid. They were released to their parents," said Acting Battalion Chief Lawrence Cusack, FDNY 45 Battalion.

Acting 45 Battalion Chief Lawrence Cusack says fortunately the 6-10 year olds were not hurt, but four people were taken to Elmhurst Hospital including the bus driver, a pizzeria worker, the livery cab driver and yellow cab driver.

The impact of the crash was so strong that residents can't go home.

"The Buildings Department has deemed the building not safe. They put a vacate on it and four occupants from the apartment above will be homeless tonight," Cusack said.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.