A 16-year-old boy was killed after sticking his head out of a party bus and hitting an overpass just after crossing the George Washington Bridge Friday, authorities say.
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The boy was on a double-decker bus with about 65 other teenagers headed to New Jersey for a sweet sixteen party, according to Port Authority spokesman Al Della Fave. They boarded the bus in Queens, and crossed over the George Washington Bridge to New Jersey shortly after 6:30 p.m.
As the bus exited the upper level to head toward Interstate 95, the boy opened the top hatch of the bus and stuck his head out, said Della Fave. His head struck the underside of the Fletcher Avenue overpass, causing extreme trauma.
The boy was rushed to Hackensack University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
No other physical injuries were reported, but the other teens on board the bus appeared to suffer severe emotional trauma. They were taken to a bridge administration building on a lower lot, where their parents picked them up.
UPDATE: Vigil Held for Teen in Bus Accident
Local
Della Fave said two adults on were on board the bus at the time, the driver and an assistant. The assistant's role was not immediately clear.
The double-decker bus was operated by Designer Limousine.
Police are continuing to investigate.
The accident caused long delays Friday night as the express lanes of the I-95 southbound from the bridge were shut down while emergency responders rushed to the scene and police investigated.
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