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by LEANNA FAULK, NBC 10 NEWS
COVENTRY, R.I. (WJAR) — Five children were taken to area hospitals after a car crashed through a fence and into the playground of a Coventry child care Monday afternoon.
Coventry police said the crash happened at about 4:45 p.m. at Child Care Plus, which is located on Tiogue Avenue. The car struck large boulders before crashing through a fence along South Main Street, into the back of the facility’s playground.
Central Coventry Fire Chief Kevin Cady said there were between 12 and 15 children outside at the time, ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade. Five children, ages 7 and 8, were transported to Hasbro Children’s Hospital and Kent Hospital with minor injuries described as scrapes and bruises.
Parents rushed to the scene, and first responders from multiple jurisdictions assisted with triage and transport.
The driver, a woman who was in the car with her two young children, remained on scene and cooperated with officers. All three were checked and released, according to the child care center's owner.
Stephen Miller, who owns Longshore Coffee across the street, said he witnessed the aftermath.
“I heard a loud bang, turned and saw the car was through the fence,” Miller said. He added that he saw two children getting out of the back seat of the car.
Another business owner, Justin Czar of Liberty Fence, said his company installed the fence about 10 years ago.
“It’s a good thing that they hit that pole. Probably could have been far worse,” Czar said.
Child care center owner Steven Lawton released a statement thanking first responders and praising staff for quickly moving children inside.
The statement read: "Thank you again for your support and the outpouring of care that you have all shown to the children affected, the first responders and our staff. We are so proud of the immediate actions of our staff in the professionalism. They displayed in a very difficult situation. The driver of the vehicle and her two young children were checked and released; we appreciate the driver’s willingness to communicate with the officers on scene. The five children transported are currently being evaluated and we will continue to monitor and support their families as needed. WE ARE A FAMILY. We will be open tomorrow regular hours. All children will be having indoor recess in the indoor play area for the immediate future. We will take Annie and all actions needed to ensure the safety of our children as nothing is more important to us."
Lawton said Child Care Plus will reopen Tuesday with recess moved indoors for the immediate future.
Police said the investigation is ongoing, and no charges have been filed.
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