A multi-vehicle crash involving a school bus and the request for medical helicopters, closed the northbound lanes of Interstate 79 at Route 422 in Worth Townshiparound 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. Two people died in the crash, authorities said.

State police released more details about the I-79 fatal bus crash that killed the driver and a 14-year-old student in Muddy Creek Township.

The news release Thursday identified Lindsay Thompkins, 31, of Aliquippa as the bus driver, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

The release also noted the death of a 14-year-girl from Hermitage. The state police does not release the identity of minors; however, in previous reports the police noted the bus passengers were students from the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School in Beaver County.

As of Thursday morning, the school paid homage to the 14-year-old girl in a statement on its website.

“Today Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School mourns the loss of one of our precious students and a dedicated bus driver,” the statement said. “Words cannot express the true gravity of this tragic event.”

According to the crash report, police believe the speed of the bus was a factor in the rear-end crash.

Police said the bus hit the back of a tractor-trailer. The driver and passenger of the tractor-trailer were uninjured.

Police said there were 14 other students in the bus during the crash.

According to police, four of those students needed transport for their injuries. One of the students, a 13-year-old girl from Jamestown, was suspected of having a serious injury and was taken by medical helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh.

Police said the other three students transported had suspected minor injuries and were taken by ambulance to UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh. One of these students was a 14-year-old girl from Slippery Rock.

Eight students were not transported for further treatment, but were listed as having possible injuries. A 17-year-old girl from Slippery Rock was part of this group of students.

Two students were listed as uninjured.

In its announcement the Lincoln Park school said it would not be releasing personal information about the driver or student.

Despite the tragedy, the school remained opened, but it did offer grief counselors and support staff to the students.

“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the two families who have lost their loved ones in this terrible tragedy,” the statement said. “We ask for patience and prayers as we come together as a community.”

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