Google Maps(FRISCO, Texas) — Five children were injured — one critically — when a 17-year-old learning how to drive crashed through a gate in front of a Texas day care on Thursday afternoon.
According to ABC affiliate WFAA-TV, five children and one adult suffered injuries when the teen driver accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake pedal and plowed into the day care. The injured were outside the building at the time.
“Several kids were either moving into the classroom or out of the classroom; we’re not sure which,” Kevin Haines, captain with the Frisco Fire Department, told WFAA-TV.
The ages of the children were not released.
Police said three children were taken to the hospital by ambulance, and two were airlifted to Children’s Medical Center Dallas by helicopter. One child is in critical condition and another was admitted to the trauma floor, WFAA-TV reported.
The teenager was not arrested and was cooperating with officials. The 17-year-old has his driver’s permit and his father was in the passenger seat at the time, the father told WFAA-TV. Neither was injured.
The teen was on his way to the driving school across the street, according to the father.
His father said his son was incredibly sorry and shaken up by the accident, WFAA-TV reported.
“We are heartbroken about the accident that happened today at our school, injuring multiple children and teachers,” the Primrose School of Frisco said in a statement. “Our Primrose community is our family, and nothing is more important to us than the safety and well-being of the children entrusted to our care. We are incredibly proud of how our teachers and staff responded today, and we are grateful for the police and paramedics for their swift action as well.
“We’re standing side by side with the affected families and are currently here at the hospital. We are praying for the medical teams caring for these children and their families, and ask that you do too.”
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