School bus crash sends six people to hospital

JOPLIN, Mo. -- Six people -- four of them children -- were hospitalized Thursday morning after a sports utility vehicle rear-ended a school bus that was stopped for a red light at a busy intersection south of downtown, authorities said. The driver told police that he had looked down to check his speedometer after his wife reminded him he was in a school zone. When he looked up, it was too late to stop, he said. Five of 11 children aboard the bus reported injuries. Three of the children were transported to the hospital by ambulance, and a fourth child was taken in a private vehicle. Their injuries were minor.