Goose plays 'chicken' with bus, smashes windshield
Two students treated for minor injuries; goose not so fortunate
BY KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer

WOODBRIDGE - Thirty-four Woodbridge High School students received quite a "fowl" surprise on their way to school on May 3.

A Canada goose flew into the windshield of a school bus, causing the windshield to bend inward on top of the driver, as the bus was traveling on Route 1 near Woodbridge Center Drive at 7:33 a.m.

"Two students suffered minor injuries and were sent to JFK Hospital in Edison," said police Lt. Thomas Gennarelli. "The bus driver was not injured."

The students - both from the Fords section of Woodbridge - were seated in the first row behind the driver. One student received a minor cut on the hand and another student received glass particles in the eyes.

"They were both treated and released," said Gennarelli. "It was fortunate that they suffered minor injuries."

Township Mayor John E. McCormac said the incident was very strange.

"I never heard of it happening anywhere," he said. "Birds and geese and other critters, especially squirrels, are usually pretty careful."

Gennarelli said it appeared that two Canada geese started to fly off the ground; one made it over the bus and, unfortunately, one did not.

The Township Animal Control found the goose deceased 100 feet away from where the incident happened.

Another bus responded to the scene to transfer the students who were not hurt to Woodbridge High School on Samuel Lupo Place.

"Some parents also came to pick up their children after they called them telling them what had happened," said Gennarelli.

The first aid squad responded to the scene as well as Woodbridge Animal Control.