Bus driver, 24, arrested after six primary school kids are killed and 23 hurt in horror smash that saw vehicle leave road and wrapped around tree

A SCHOOL bus driver has been arrested after at least six children were killed in a horrific crash that ended with the vehicle being folded around a tree.

Johnthony Walker, 24, has been charged with multiple counts of vehicular homicide, reckless endangerment and reckless driving, Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher told.

The bus was carrying children as young as five.

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Firemen struggled to pull the victims from the wreckage after it smashed into a tree.

Five were confirmed dead at the scene, while 23 children rushed to hospital where a sixth later died.

The school bus was the only vehicle involved in the accident, which happened in Chattanooga, Tennessee, US on Monday.

Earlier Chief Fletcher said 35 schoolchildren were on the bus when it was involved in the crash.

Fletcher described the crash site as a "crime scene", and said authorities are currently investigating the cause.

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“Certainly speed is being investigated very, very strongly,” he said, before confirming the potential role of alcohol in the crash was being investigated.

An eyewitness told children were seen escaping through a hatch in the roof before emergency services arrived.

Firemen spent hours working to removed the rest of the children from the wreckage.

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Congressman Chuck Fleischmanntook to Facebook and posted his condolences to the families of those who had lost children in the crash.

He said: "My thoughts are with the young victims of the Woodmore Elementary School bus crash in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

"I am absolutely heartbroken over this tragedy and I will pray for the children and their families."

There were calls for blood to help the victims and queues went down the street of a makeshift blood bank which was set up.

Blood Assurance released a statement saying it was in "critical need for blood" for the 23 victims who were taken to area hospitals.

Hours for Blood Assurance were extended so that people can donate and the organization will also accept blood on Tuesday.

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Gov. Bill Haslam told :  "We've had a tragic event involving a school bus down in Hamilton County.

"We're going to do everything we can to assist in any way. It's a sad situation anytime there's a school bus with children involved, which there is in this case.

"We will do everything we can to assist in what I think is going to be a very sad situation."

The bus was carrying students from Woodmore Elementary when the crash happened.

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They ranged from kindergarten age, children turning five, up to fifth grade, which is 11 years old in the US.

Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke tweeted: "Please pray for the families of those affected by this horrible accident."

Parents were told by text message the crash had happened.

Extra counsellors and support staff were drafted in from all over the state to help students deal with the aftermath of the tragedy.