By Birgitta Wolfe, Managing Editor
CHESTERFIELD — Counseling is being provided for parents and students after an 11-year-old girl died Thursday, Feb. 16, when her school bus en route to Chesterfield Elementary School collided with a dump truck.
The identity of the child was withheld, pending notification of kin.
Of the 25 kindergarten through sixth-grade students on the bus, 17 were injured, including two with life-threatening injuries, according to Chesterfield Police Chief Kyle Wilson. There were 17 less serious injuries, he said.
The 8:05 a.m. accident occurred at the intersection of Route 528 and Old York Road when the truck collided with the back driver’s side of the bus, swinging it around, and wedging it between two poles.
The truck was owned by Herman’s Trucking Co. of Wrightstown.
Injured students were taken by ambulance to Helene Fuld, and Robert Wood Johnson hospitals. Three from Fuld were later helicoptered to Cooper University Hospital, two with life-threatening conditions, Chief Wilson said.
A home owner at the intersection opened his doors so the residence could serve as a triage center for emergency workers, the chief said.
Ellen McHenry, Chesterfield superintendent of schools, said administrators and the school physician were at the various hospitals during the day. She said counseling will be available for parents at the school on Saddle Way from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday. Otherwise the district is closed Friday and Monday for the Presidents Day holiday.
Letters were sent home to parents explaining the situation and asking parents to discuss the seriousness of the situation with their children, the superintendent said. After-school activities were canceled, she added.
The accident is under investigation by Chesterfield police, the New Jersey State Police and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office. No charges had been filed as of Thursday afternoon.
Chief Wilson said accidents at that intersection, where the speed limit is 45 mph, are rare occurrences. The truck was on Route 528, which has an amber light at the intersection, giving that driver the right-of-way, he said, and the bus was on Old York Road. It is unknown whether the bus was turning or had crossed the road, he added. Both drivers were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.
The chief said a community candlelight service will be held at the Chesterfield Baptist Church from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
On learning of the accident Thursday morning, Gov. Chris Christie issued the following statement:
”We are awaiting further details, but we are deeply concerned for the students on the bus and their families and can only imagine what they’ve been dealing with in the immediate aftermath of the crash. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone, especially those who have been injured.”

