Full Breakdown
Bronx School Bus Stuck in Roadway Hole
5/22/2026, 6:37:00 AM
Incident Summary
On May 20, 2026, at 1:30 p.m., a school bus traveling east on East 180th Street turned onto Bronx Park Avenue in Van Nest, Bronx, when its right-rear wheel fell into a six-foot-wide, three-foot-deep opening. Sources report either 30 children (CBS) or 39 children and four adults (News12) aboard. All passengers exited themselves; one person suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital. The road stayed closed for just over an hour before traffic resumed.
Background Context
The incident occurred amid a series of sinkhole-related disruptions in New York City, including a sinkhole near a runway at LaGuardia Airport that forced temporary closure. Residents had noted deteriorating pavement on East 180th Street for weeks.
Agencies Involved
FDNY led evacuation. OEM gave passenger counts. DEP opened a probe. DOT was notified. The bus was operated by a private carrier, not a city-run school bus.
Official Responses
FDNY confirmed that all passengers left the bus and that one person was taken to a hospital for minor injuries. OEM verified 39 children and four adults aboard. DEP announced an investigation into the roadway failure. DOT said the hole had been marked with traffic cones before the incident but offered no further comment.
Community Concerns
Van Nest residents said the opening had been visible for weeks and that only cones warned drivers. One neighbor called the situation “scary for the kids.” A resident complained that 311 calls went unanswered, questioning the city’s response.
On-site Observations
Citizen.com video shows the bus’s right-rear tire sinking into the opening as the vehicle turned onto Bronx Park Avenue. The hole measured roughly six feet wide and three feet deep.
Conflicting Accounts
Reports differ on passenger numbers—CBS cites 30 children, while News12 lists 39 children and four adults. Officials have not confirmed whether the opening began as a pothole that worsened or as a sudden sinkhole.
Significance
The event highlights vulnerabilities in aging urban infrastructure and raises safety concerns for school transportation routes. Community complaints suggest gaps in maintenance reporting and response, prompting scrutiny of citywide roadway oversight.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s scary for the kids,” — Unnamed neighbor, Van Nest resident
- “You know, it’s really scary.” — Unnamed neighbor, Van Nest resident
- “I heard people in the community called 311, but nobody responded,” — Unnamed resident, Van Nest resident
- “No work has been done. It’s just a bunch of cones, and that’s not really preventing anything, is it?” — Unnamed resident, Van Nest resident
What’s Next
DEP will continue its investigation to pinpoint the cause and determine needed repairs on East 180th Street. DOT will review the adequacy of cone warnings. Findings are expected to shape future maintenance protocols for school routes.
