Young Jewish Girl Suffers Brain Bleed After Rock Thrown at School Bus on NJ Turnpike

A third-grade student from Yeshivat Noam in Paramus suffered severe injuries when a rock was thrown at her school bus on the New Jersey Turnpike on Wednesday; the extent of her injuries was not known until Thursday.

The horrifying incident occurred as the bus were returning to Paramus following a third-grade trip to the Liberty Science Center. As the buses traveled along the Turnpike at Teaneck Road, a large rock was hurled at one of the vehicles, breaking a window and striking the girl in the head.

Ezra Finkelstein, Chief of Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps tells Belaaz that emergency responders, including members of his organization, Teaneck Fire Department and New Jersey State Police arrived on the scene.

“We are proud to be able to serve all residents and visitors of Teaneck, and we hope that the patient has a full recovery,” Finkelstein said.

The child was subsequently transported to Hackensack University Medical Center.

While the injury initially appeared minor at first, the situation took a drastic turn on Thursday. A CAT scan revealed that the child is suffering from brain bleeding and will require surgery.

No arrests have been announced as of Thursday afternoon. Investigators are urging anyone with relevant information regarding the attack to contact the authorities immediately.

In a letter sent to parents shortly after the incident occurred, Yeshivat Noam Head of School Rabbi Chaim Hagler sought to reassure the parent body.

“I am writing regarding an incident that occurred this afternoon involving our 3rd-grade trip bus,” Rabbi Hagler wrote. “While returning from the Liberty Science Center, as the bus was exiting the Turnpike at Teaneck Road, an object was thrown at the vehicle, causing a window to break,” he wrote.

Rabbi Hagler noted that school administration was on-site immediately. “Our teachers took immediate control of the situation, and I joined them on-site to accompany the children back to school,” he wrote. “Upon arrival, our mental health team met with the students to provide a safe space for them to process the event and share their feelings.”

Sol Itzkowitz, head of Bergen County Chaverim, told Belaaz that he is “shocked by this horrendous incident.”

Itzkowitz lauded the “swift response of local and state law enforcement,” noting that in the wake of the attack, emergency meetings have been held involving elected officials, the Sheriff’s office, Teaneck and Paramus police departments, school staff, parents, and Jewish community chaplains.

The Teaneck Police Department and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office have launched a joint investigation into the attack.

Authorities have not yet determined if the incident was a targeted act of antisemitism.

The tzibur is asked to daven for Gila Bracha bas Michal Ilana.