An apparent bomb hoax involving a Peter Pan bus traveling westbound on the Massachusetts Turnpike prompted authorities to evacuate the vehicle in Chicopee, according to Trooper Thomas Murphy, a media spokesman for the Massachusetts State Police.
An updated version of this story is now available on MassLive.
CHICOPEE — A bomb threat prompted Massachusetts State Police to remove passengers from a Peter Pan bus traveling westbound on the Massachusetts Turnpike in Chicopee on Saturday.
The bus was evacuated and searched early Saturday afternoon, but no explosive devices were found, said Trooper Thomas Murphy, a state police spokesman in Framingham. "Everything was clear; no device was found," Murphy said, adding that the bus proceeded to Springfield after the apparent hoax.
It remains unclear who issued the bomb threat, which was received by Peter Pan officials. "That's part of the investigation," Murphy said. The probe is being handled by troopers assigned to the office of state Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan.
State police from Westfield and troopers from the fire marshal's office responded to the incident. A lieutenant from the Westfield barracks confirmed that authorities checked the bus, but he declined to comment further.
Peter Pan officials did not immediately return phone messages seeking comment.
A passenger told 22News that riders were delayed about an hour before reaching the Springfield terminal.