UPDATED Tuesday, November 17, 2009 --- 1:26 p.m.

Release from the Town of Madison Police Department:

On November 17, 2009 at 8:42 am a crash occurred on the West bound Beltline Hwy just west of Rimrock Road. Traffic was backed up past Monona Drive.

Dane County Highway truck rear-ended a school bus that was transporting children from Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Monona to Edgewood school for a field trip. The bus was pushed into a second school bus which was pushed into a passenger car. Then a passenger car rear-ended the Dane County Highway truck.

There were some minor injuries reported to the students on the school bus. Some of the students were transported to local hospitals by the Town of Madison Paramedics. The injuries were not serious and all parents of the injured students have been notified.

The Town of Madison Police Department requested the WI State Patrol to conduct inspections of the school buses and the Dane County Highway truck to ensure compliance with all commercial motor vehicle safety laws. We were notified that there were no major violations on any of the vehicles.

The driver of the Dane County Highway truck told police that once he realized he was going to hit the school bus he positioned the snow plow hook to hit the bus in the center. This quick thinking certainly prevented serious injuries to the students in the school bus.

A decision whether citations will be issued has not been made at this time.

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Posted Tuesday, November 17, 2009 --- 11:15 a.m.

Town of Madison Police tell NBC15 three children were transported to the hospital this morning after a chain reaction bus crash.

It happened on the westbound Beltline just west of Rimrock Road.

A Dane County highway truck rear ended an occupied school bus. The school bus was pushed into another empty school bus, which also hit a passenger car in front of it. Another passenger car then rear ended the highway truck.

There were minor injuries to students on the school bus, which was from Immaculate Heart of Mary. The students were on their way to Edgewood.

Police only know that three children were transported, but say others may have been taken to the hospital by their parents.

Police say the Dane County highway truck operator should be credit for quick thinking. Once he knew he wouldn't be able to stop safely, he aimed the plow to the center of the bus, avoiding where the children were seated.

The crash is still under investigation, so far there have been no decisions on citations.