2 killed in crash with bus carrying swim team

SOUTHAMPTON, N.J. — Two men died when their car hit a bus carrying a high school swim team here Tuesday afternoon.

The accident occurred around 5 p.m. ET at Pemberton and Ridge roads in Southampton, according to the New Jersey State Police.  The bus was carrying the Lenape Regional High School girls swim team, two coaches, and the driver.

"The crash occurred in the lane where the bus was traveling," said a State Police preliminary account. It gave no other details of the crash, which occurred on a rain-slicked road.

Both the driver and passenger in the car, a Volkswagen Passat, were pronounced dead at the scene.

There were 20 students on the bus. Eight students and one adult were taken to Virtua Hospital in Mount Holly with minor injuries.

The crash occurred just hours after Lenape Athletics had noted in a tweet that it was opening day for the Medford school's swimming and bowling teams. "Best of luck to both programs as they start their seasons!" said the tweet.

According to Lenape's website, the girls varsity swim team was scheduled for a meet against Seneca Tuesday evening at Rowan College at Burlington County in Pemberton Township.

The road was closed as troopers investigated the accident.

Follow Jim Walsh on Twitter: @jimwalsh_cp