HOUSTON -- More than a half-dozen students were injured when a car ran a stop sign and slammed into a METRO bus in northwest Houston Tuesday morning, officials told KPRC Local 2.

The bus was traveling on West Rittenhouse at De Priest at about 7:40 a.m. when the accident happened.

"The gentlemen that was driving the Taurus -- he ran a stop sign. He was going at a pretty good rate of speed. There was no way the METRO bus could avoid it," witness John Jackson said.

Seven people were removed from the bus on stretchers and then transported to area hospitals. Six of the injured were students on their way to school. Their injuries were described as minor.

"All I know is my baby called me on her cell phone and told me to come get her -- that the bus had had a wreck. That's all I know and they've taken her to Memorial Northwest (Hospital)," a mother said.

The driver of the Taurus sustained more serious injuries.

"They had to cut him out of the driver's side and he was still alive, but he wasn't conscious," Jackson said. "This was an unnecessary accident. All the gentleman had to do was stop."

The Taurus driver was listed in serious condition at Ben Taub Hospital.

Several others on the bus, including the driver, were not injured.

The bus received minor damage.