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Children return to summer academy after frightening crash

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Children returned back to the Edna Martin Christian Center on Tuesday.

Their return came one day after a frightening accident.

According to Indianapolis Fire Department, a car heading east on 38th Street collided with three other vehicles, including a 15 passenger van carrying children returning from a park. The crash happened at 38th Street and Central Avenue.

Emergency crews arrived to the scene just after 4 p.m. and had to pull the driver, a 29-year-old woman, out of her Ford Taurus.

A total of five children, ages 6,7,10,11, and 13 were taken to Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health with minor injures. The children were later released, and were back at the center on Tuesday.

The group of children were preparing to go swimming just after the lunch hour on Tuesday.

“We thought it was important to thank the community, for being so responsive to our needs,” said Deputy Executive Director of Programs, Barato Britt.

24-Hour News 8 talked with Britt, outside the Edna Martin Christian Center.  He expressed not only gratitude to volunteers and residents who called offering help, but he also expressed gratefulness to first responders.

“They did great from our vantage points, they wrapped their arms around the children, they consoled the parents and made sure all the children were checked out before they left,” said Britt.

It is unclear if the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department will charge the driver in the red sedan who police said caused the accident.