Driver dead, children injured in school bus crash

MIDLAND, GA -- Officials are investigating a school bus crash that left the bus driver dead and several children injured in west Georgia.

Multiple news agencies report the crash happened Monday morning near Aaron Cohn Middle School in Midland.

Columbus Fire Department spokesman Ricky Shores says the school bus carrying seven children was headed to Mathews Elementary School when it ran off the road and hit a tree.

The cause of the crash remains unclear.

Major J.D. Hawk said the bus driver, identified as 67-year-old Roy Newman of Columbus, and two students had to be extricated from the bus.

Officials say all of the children and Newman were taken to the hospital. Newman later died. An autopsy will be performed.

Authorities did not release details about the conditions of the children.