UPDATE: DA says 6 dead in Chattanooga school bus crash

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — The district attorney confirms six people are dead after an elementary school bus crash in Chattagnooga.

Hamilton County District Attorney Neal Pinkston told media outlets that five people died at the scene and one died at the hospital. Melydia Clewell, spokeswoman for the district attorney, confirmed the number.

Chattanooga police confirmed earlier via Twitter that there are “multiple fatalities.”

The school bus was mangled around a tree at the scene. Police say the ages of the students ranged from kindergarten through fifth grade.

Police Chief Fred Fletcher said 35 schoolchildren were on the bus Monday afternoon. He did not have information about the extent of injuries.

Fletcher said at a news conference that the bus was the only vehicle involved in the crash.

At the state Capitol in Nashville, Gov. Bill Haslam called the crash “a tragic event” and offered assistance.

Fletcher said police were interviewing the bus driver to determine what happened.

The bus was carrying students from Woodmore Elementary.