Van Jumps Curb, Hits 5 Children In New Square

New Square - Five children were injured, some critically, when a van jumped the curb and crashed into them as they stood on a sidewalk Monday afternoon, officials said.

The crash occurred shortly before 4 p.m. on Bush Lane in the densely populated Ramapo village. The youngsters, said to be girls ranging in age from 7 to 9, were on the sidewalk.

Three children were taken by ambulance to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla and two others were taken to Nyack Hospital, according to Ramapo police.

Ramapo Town Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence also would not provide details of their injuries, but said each victim was believed to be in stable condition.

“Right now, thankfully, the latest report is that the three in Westchester are stable and the two in Nyack as well,” St. Lawrence said at the scene. “That’s about all I can say for their conditions.”

One girl was said to have suffered a compound fracture to her leg, but few details were available regarding the specific injuries suffered by the other girls.

Staff at Westchester Medical Center staff said two of the three girls they were treating suffered critical injuries, but at 6 p.m., were in stable condition. The third girl was also said to be stable. No information on the girls taken to Nyack Hospital was available.

St. Lawrence praised the emergency responders from New Square, the Hatzolah and Spring Hill ambulance units, the Hillcrest Fire and Ramapo Police departments for their quick action.

Authorities did not identify the driver of the van, who was said to be uninjured, but said he was being interviewed by investigators. A Ramapo police accident investigation team was at the crash site.

Authorities expect to release additional information regarding the incident at 7:30 p.m. this evening during a press conference at Ramapo police headquarters, St. Lawrence said.

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{NewYorkBuffMedia Newsroom  - Photos by: Sanball Images & Pinny K.}