Driver seriously injured in Waterford crash involving car, SEAT bus

Waterford — A Southeast Area Transit District bus carrying 12 passengers collided with a Subaru on Thursday morning in front of the Quaker Hill Cumberland Farms, injuring six and closing state Route 32 between Red Cedar Avenue and Maple Road.

The driver of the Subaru, a 93-year-old woman, was taken to the William W. Backus Hospital and then Hartford Hospital with serious injuries, Waterford Police Lt. Dave Burton said.

The crash also injured the SEAT bus driver and four bus passengers. Burton said the four passengers reported neck or back pain. Ambulances took all the injured parties to either Backus or Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London, he said, and the eight uninjured passengers were transferred to another bus.

SEAT District General Manager Michael Carroll said the bus driver was treated and released from the hospital Thursday.

Burton said the driver of the Subaru was traveling south on Route 32 and attempted to turn left into Cumberland Farms at 47 Route 32 when the SEAT bus, traveling north, clipped the Subaru on its right side. The Subaru was dragged for “a short distance,” he said.

Burton said Waterford police are investigating the crash using video footage recorded by cameras on the bus.

The state police Truck Squad inspected the bus and did not find any mechanical problems, Burton said. Police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash to call police at (860) 442-9451.