School Trip Takes Frightening Turn as NJ Yeshiva Student Injured in Bus Incident

NEW JERSEY (VINnews) – Details are emerging slowly about an incident that took place on the New Jersey Turnpike that left a yeshiva third grader with a serious head injury.

A statement released by Yeshivat Noam confirmed that a busload of third graders was on its way home from a trip to Liberty Science Center on January 7th when an unidentified individual threw an object at their bus as it exited the highway at Teaneck Road. According to the Paramus day school, the projectile shattered one of the bus’s windows, with the third grade girl sustaining a skull fracture.

The third grader was the only one injured in the attack on the bus, which had no markings on it indicating that it was transporting Jewish children. Yeshivat Noam’s has said that there is no known motive in the incident, and that no conclusions can be drawn for the attack at this time.

The New Jersey State Police is investigating the incident in conjunction with the Teaneck Police Department, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.

Rabbi Chaim Hagler, head of school at the yeshiva, said the safety and well-being of its students remains is Yeshivat Noam’s highest priority, and that mental health and guidance teams are doing their part to provide support, as needed.

“Our focus remains on supporting the injured student and her family, as well as ensuring the emotional health of our entire student body,” said Rabbi Hagler. “We are working closely with law enforcement to ensure a thorough investigation.”

Katie Katz, executive director of the Teach Coalition’s New Jersey office, which advocates for nonpublic students in the Garden State, said that no parent should ever have to worry about their child’s safety on a class trip.

“Our hearts are with the student and family impacted by this incident, and with the entire school community,” said Katz.