BLUE HILL, Neb. — A school bus and a tractor-trailer collided in rural southern Nebraska, killing two children and two drivers, the Webster County Sheriff's office said today.

At least four more children were transported to hospitals after the fiery crash at a rural intersection near Blue Hill around 5 p.m. Wednesday, sheriff's officials said.

The driver of the truck, 21-year-old Travis Witte, was hauling bales of hay for the family farm when the fatal crash occurred.

Four children, aged 6 to 10 years, were taken to an area hospital.

A 7-year-old girl was later transferred to Children's Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha and was in serious condition this morning.

One child was treated then released from Mary Lanning Memorial on Wednesday, while a girl underwent surgery and was in stable condition today, a hospital spokesman said. A boy remained at the hospital today in stable condition.