JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) – Three children were hit by a school bus in Jefferson County Tuesday afternoon.

The incident happened just after 3 p.m. near South Simms and West Cross Avenue in unincorporated Jefferson County. Southbound Simms at Brandt Place had to be closed for the investigation.

Jacki Kelley with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said all three of the children were conscious and breathing. They were taken to St. Anthony Hospital.

One woman was waiting at the light to turn left when she saw the accident happen in front of her. Another student said it was her friends who were injured.

“I saw the bus out of the corner of my eye and I jumped forward and I missed the bus by 5 inches,” the student told CBS4′s Valerie Castro. “All I heard was a scream and I turned around and both of them were on the ground and one of them was crying. The other one jumped up and got really mad.”

(credit: CBS)

All three are students at Summit Ridge Middle School.

Jefferson County Public Schools told CBS4 the bus was being driven by a substitute driver. No children were on the bus. The driver has been put on paid administrative leave while the investigation continues.

Colorado State Patrol was on the scene and is handling the investigation.