Prison Bus With 16 Inmates Overturns on NY State Thruway

The bus crashed in Rockland County near Spring Valley.

A New York City Department of Correction bus carrying 16 prisoners to a medium-security state prison crashed Wednesday on the New York State Thruway.

Authorities said all the prisoners were secured and there was no evidence they had caused the crash in an escape attempt.

The injured prisoners were taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern. Officials said none appeared to be seriously hurt.

The inmates were "appropriately handcuffed" at the hospital, and were treated in a separate area from the regular emergency room, spokeswoman Deborah Marshall said. None were likely to be admitted.

The bus overturned in Rockland County near Ramapo, between exits 14A and 14B on the northbound side.

State police Capt. Evelyn Mallard said the bus apparently had been cut off by another vehicle.

Three DOC workers were also on board the bus. The prisoners were being returned to Ulster Correctional facility after being in New York City for court appearances, officials said.

Chopper footage showed prisoners being loaded onto ambulances, while uninjured prisoners waited outside the overturned bus, handcuffed to each other.

Traffic was backed up for several miles.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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