JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — UPDATE: A crash that sent around 20 people to the hospital Sunday night involved a bus transporting the Greater Scranton Black Diamonds Pipe Band, officials confirm.
Those same officials tell 28/22 News the bus driver was seriously injured and that the amount of people taken to the hospital has increased to approximately 20.
Original Story: Crews were called to Jefferson Township after a bus crashed into a tractor-trailer, sending 15 people to nearby hospitals.
Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief Mike Shaffer told 28/22 News they were called to the 1100 block of Mount Cobb Road shortly before 6:30 p.m. Sunday for a report of a bus crashed into a tractor-trailer.
According to Chief Shaffer, the bus was coming off Interstate 84 Westbound when it crashed and no one was inside the tractor-trailer.
Chief Shaffer says 21 people were involved in the crash, 15 of which were sent to nearby hospitals for treatment. Nine injured were taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital, while the other six were taken to Geisinger CMC.
Chief Shaffer says the severity of their injuries varies.
The cleanup from the crash continued for nearly five hours Sunday evening at the Onvo Truck Stop in Jefferson Township.
Sunday's combination of wind and rain delayed crews cleaning up after the crash.
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28/22 News spoke with people who were at the rest stop around the time the crash happened.
"It's a tragic scene, and I just thought it was crazy," said Jefferson Township resident Aiden Pankevitch.
"Now, with the heavy rain coming down, it's dampening operations. The weather is making it a little rough right now, but crews are making it through it," Mike Milewski with Milewski Towing and Recovery said.
Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the crash.
