5th grader calls 911 after school bus crashes into tree with 26 kids on board

A Cape Cod school bus driver experienced a medical issue before the bus crashed into a tree on Monday morning with dozens of students on board, according to Mashpee Fire. The bus crashed into a tree at 8:40 a.m. on Old Barnstable Road in Mashpee, Massachusetts. The 26 children on board were 6 to 12 years old, Mashpee police said. "Driver suffered a medical emergency but was able to slow the bus down prior to losing consciousness," said Chief Joseph Peltier of Mashpee Fire and Rescue. "Bus struck a tree at a relatively low speed, causing mild/moderate damage to the bus."Fifth grader Wesley Dugre was seated about halfway back on the bus when the crash happened. "It wasn't a car crash. It was just a big thump," Dugre said.A friend seated next to Wesley handed him his phone, and he called 911."I was like, I never thought I'd actually do that. And I was like, 'Oh my God, is she going to be OK?'" he said. Dugre and the other 25 children opened the emergency door and hopped out of the back of the bus."I think they were probably traumatized, cause I feel like they really love their bus driver, and having to see that happen," Peltier said. The bus driver was taken to Cape Cod Hospital with what "appeared to be a life-threatening medical emergency," Mashpee police said. John Dugre, Wesley's father, praised the children for their quick thinking. "A lot of kids took great initial action. And I'm super proud of the children in the neighborhood," he said. As one of the older kids on the bus, Wesley said he felt a sense of responsibility during the incident. "There was more people who called. But overall me, I just like I had to do something because if I hadn't, it wouldn't have gone as well, I guess," Dugre said.Twenty-five of the students were picked up by their families. One student suffering from some stress and anxiety related to the crash was taken to Falmouth Hospital after officials were unable to reach their parents or grandparents.The cause of the crash is under investigation.