3 children killed after school bus collides with lorry in Rushville, Illinois

At least five people, including three children and two adults, were killed in a horrifying school bus and lorry collision on a highway in Rushville, western Illinois on Monday, Metro reported.

According to Illinois State Police Troop 6 Captain Jody Huffman, the bus got in the path of the lorry resulting in the collision at around 11:30am which set both vehicles on fire.

Three children aboard the Schuyler-Industry Schools bus, its driver and the lorry driver were killed in the incident.

"There's not really words at this time that can be said," said Schuyler County Sheriff Bill Redshaw. "When you have a loss of life like this, it's devastating."

The identities and ages of the victims were not immediately released and classes were canceled by the school district for Tuesday and Wednesday.

"It is with a heavy heart that we announce our school community has lost both staff and students in the traffic incident involving one of our school buses this morning," stated Schuyler-Industry Schools.

"Out of respect for everyone involved, no names or further information will be released at this time."

The collision occurred on the highway at Parkview Road in Rushville, a small community of about 3,000 people about 60 miles west of Springfield, Illinois.

Schuyler County Coroner Terry Millslagle said the victims' autopsies are being conducted in Springfield while the cause of the crash is under investigation.

The collision comes less than two weeks after a public service bus and a private bus crashed head-on in the Honduran village of La Montanita, resulting in the death of 17 people including a child.

At least 14 others were injured in that incident.