N.H. Teen Rescued After Fiery Wreck With School Bus

Dec. 19--EXETER -- An 18-year-old from Exeter was seriously injured Wednesday when his vehicle swerved into oncoming traffic, striking a van, hitting a school bus and then catching on fire, according to New Hampshire State Police.

Firefighters found Jesse Godin trapped inside a Volkswagen Jetta when they arrived at the accident scene at about 6:49 a.m. He was extricated using rescue equipment and transported to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston with critical injuries.

Godin was listed as being in "serious" condition Tuesday evening, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Speed is believed to be a factor in the crash, according to state police. Investigators say Godin swerved his car across the center line while traveling north on Portsmouth Avenue. Godin's vehicle then collided with a van, "spun out of control" and struck the front of a school bus traveling behind the van, police said.

The bus, owned by First Student of Exeter, was "loaded with children" at the time, state police said.

Godin's Volkswagen caught fire after the crash, and the 44-year-old bus driver maneuvered the bus into reverse to back away from the burning sedan, according to state police. A witness at the scene then used the fire extinguisher inside the bus to put out the car fire.

Two children on the bus received "very minor" injuries in the collision, according to state police. The driver and several children were transported to Exeter Hospital and evaluated as a precaution.

The operator of the van was Hasmukh Patel, 54, of Sanbornville, according to a statement from the Exeter Police Department. Both Patel and the passenger of the van received minor injuries, and were treated at a local hospital, according to Exeter police.

State troopers and members of the accident investigation unit were called in to probe the crash, since it involved a school bus.

Police are requesting information from anyone who might have been a witness to the accident. Those who might be able to assist the investigation are asked to call Exeter Police at 603-772-1212.

Copyright 2012 - Foster's Daily Democrat, Dover, N.H.