Police

Riverhead school bus catches fire after ‘serious’ accident on Long Island Expressway

Riverhead school bus fire Long Island Expressway

A Riverhead school bus caught fire and was destroyed Thursday afternoon after it was involved in a “serious accident” on the Long Island Expressway, according to district superintendent Nancy Carney.

No students were on board at the time of the fire, but the minibus driver and a bus monitor were injured, Ms. Carney said in an email. Suffolk County police said one victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment of a “minor injury.”

Police said the bus and a truck collided on the LIE in Manorville about 1:20 p.m.

Ms. Carney said the bus was going to BOCES in Bellport to pick up students when “another vehicle on the highway had an emergency” which set off the accident.

After the crash, the bus caught fire west of Exit 72 and was extinguished by volunteers from the Manorville Fire Department. The victims were treated by Riverhead emergency personnel, authorities said.

The right and center lanes of the westbound LIE were closed briefly at exit 72 about 2:30 p.m., according to the state Department of Transportation.

“We are thankful to the Manorville Fire Department, Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Company, Suffolk Police, New York State Police and all other responding agencies for their rapid action to save our employees from more serious injuries,” Ms. Carney said.

Photo: A Riverhead School District mini bus caught fire Thursday afternoon on the Long Island Expressway. (Credit: Courtesy photo)