The Lincoln Tunnel is the main artery for motorists entering and exiting New York. On Wednesday morning, around 9:30 a.m., an incident occurred when a New Jersey Transit bus rear-ended a charter bus carrying 26 eighth-grade students and two staff members from Canada. The students were visiting New York for a graduation trip - officials for the Bedford Park Public School district tweeted this morning all the students were safe.
The transit bus carried approximately 60 people, and more than a dozen injuries were reported following the accident.
The area was cordoned off as officials advised drivers in news bulletins to avoid the area due to significant delays. The New Jersey Transit authority reported delays of up to 45 minutes following the incident, and announced via Twitter, that bus passes would be honored on the rail line following the accident.
The New York Fire Department arrived at the scene to assist those injured. Reportedly, about four individuals were said to have more severe injuries of the neck and back, but none appeared to be life threatening. A young pregnant woman was rushed to the hospital after going into labor in the tunnel.
A person on the New Jersey Transit bus spoke to the media regarding the accident. He said the crash, luckily, did not feel significant but the doors were bent and passengers on the bus were forced to wait up to 20 minutes for emergency personnel to assist them in exiting.
The Canadian students will resume their trip after all members were accounted for and no injuries reported, said spokesperson Ryan Bird.
Joseph Pentangelo, a spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound when the accident occurred.
More than 40 million vehicles travel through the Lincoln Tunnel on an annual basis.