COLUMBIA, SC — Four Richland 1 students were taken to the hospital around 3 p.m. Monday after the school bus they were riding in was rear-ended by another driver.

"We do not believe their injuries to be life-threatening," said Jennifer Timmons, spokeswoman for Columbia Police Department, which is investigating the incident.

A Richland 1 spokeswoman said the students, who attend Meadowfield Elementary, were taken to Palmetto Health Richland hospital.

"They had leg and neck injuries, that sort of thing," said spokeswoman Edith Caudle.

Meadowfield Elementary principal Paula Stephens said she went to the scene and spoke with the children.

"Some of them were scared, but they were troopers," Stephens said, adding she was en route to the hospital to check on the injured children.

Stephens said 36 students were on the bus when it was hit. The remaining children were transferred to another bus and transported to their after-school locations, she said.

Timmons said she expected the driver of the motor vehicle that struck the bus will be charged with a moving violation.

"The bus was traveling on Veterans Road and slowing down to cross over some railroad tracks when it was struck from behind," Timmons said. The incident took place near Coatesdale and Atlas roads.

The driver also was taken to the hospital, Timmons added. The driver was not identified.

Caudle urged motorists to "always be careful" when traveling near a school bus.

Meadowfield Elementary has about 620 students and is located near the Dorn VA Medical Center.

Reach Monk at (803) 771-8344.