by Alan McArthur
Landmark reporter

Four people were taken to local hospitals after a school bus and van collided on Barry Road in the Park Hill School District.

There were 13 children on the bus at the time of the accident near Hawthorn Elementary School.

The accident happened around 8:30 a.m. on Thursday at the intersection of Barry Road and Chariton Avenue.

According to Nicole Kirby, district spokesman, the bus was headed east along Barry Road when the van pulled in front of it. The bus was on its way to pick up more students in a nearby neighborhood when the accident occurred.

Two of the children on the bus were taken to the hospital and were released later that day. The driver of the van and her daughter were also taken to the hospital. The mother sustained the worst injuries and is reported to require surgery.

The child in the van is five years old and attends the district's early childhood education program, according to Kirby.

"The thoughts and prayers of the entire Park Hill School District are with this family tonight," said Dennis Fisher, superintendent, in a press release. "I am grateful that we have staff members like the ones at Hawthorn who act so quickly to take care of our students."

Hawthorn Elementary has around 470 students and serves grades kindergarten through fifth grade.