Buckeye school students sent to hospital following bus crash near Needles

NEEDLES, Calif. (KSAZ) - The California Highway Patrol says a bus carrying dozens of students has been involved in a crash with a big rig near the Arizona border, trapping the bus driver and injuring a handful of youngsters.

CHP Officer Joseph Medina says the collision was reported shortly before 1 p.m. Thursday on State Route 95 near Needles.

Students inside the bus are reportedly high school volleyball players from Buckeye, and were on their way to a volleyball game against Mohave High School in Bullhead City, when the accident happened.

Medina said the bus was stopped at a construction zone when the truck struck it from behind and pushed it into another semi.

Medina said there were 33 students on board and four or five reportedly suffered injuries. There's no word on their conditions.

The district reportedly sent another bus to the area to pick up the remaining kids, and bring them home. Other kids were reportedly picked up by their parents.

Buckeye Union High School District issued a statement on the crash, late Thursday afternoon.

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The Associated Press (AP) contributed to this report.