[Updated] Two Transported after Serious Accident in Canton

Two occupants of a pickup truck were transported to an area hospital Friday morning after it collided with a school bus at Route 44 and Secret Lake Road. 

At approximately 7:30 a.m., the maroon Ford F-150 pickup truck collided with, and partially lodged in, the bus. 

The driver of the truck, who police identified as Endrit Kurti 34, of Canton, was pinned and had to be extricated by Simsbury and Canton volunteer firefighters.  

Officials confirmed the driver of the truck was transported to St. Francis via Life Star helicopter. There was a 2-year-old boy in the truck who was transported by to St. Francis by Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance, officials said. 

Fortunately the injuries appeared to be non life-threatening, police chief Christopher Arciero said. 

"It looks like everyone will be okay," said Police Chief Christopher Arciero.

All 14 occupants of the bus - 13 students and the driver - are OK, according to Canton Superintendent of Schools Kevin Case. Students were transported to school via another bus. Police have now identified the bus driver as Scott Patterson, 63, of Winsted. 

Two students had minor bumps and bruises but were not transported, Arciero said. 

The bus was on its way to Canton Intermediate School at the time of the accident, Case said.

Ray Conforti's son had just boarded the bus a few minutes before the accident. 

"It's amazing all the kids are OK," he said Friday morning. "It was just a horrible accident. I hope the people in the other car are OK too." 

Canton Fire Police, Canton and Simsbury Police Departments and state Police Officers closed down both east and westbound traffic from Lovely Street into Canton. Westbound traffic was reopened at 8:59 a.m. and eastbound traffic at 9:40 a.m.    
  
Police have at least one witness but ask anyone else who may have witnessed the accident to call Canton Police at (860) 693-0221. They have not released further details as to how it occurred. 

About a dozen Town of Canton volunteer firefighters and EMTs responded to the scene. They were assisted by Farmington Valley Mutual Aid partners: Avon Volunteer Fire Department; Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company; and University of Connecticut. New Hartford Fire Department provided fire and EMS coverage for the Town of Canton during the incident.

Incident Commander and Town of Canton Volunteer Fire Captain Wayne Goeben said “This was a working example of the professionalism of our Farmington Valley Mutual Aid partners in Police, Fire and EMS.”