Nine schoolchildren avoided injury yesterday when their small schoolbus overturned after being struck by a car in Hilo, Hawaii County police said.

The accident happened shortly after 7 a.m. at the intersection of Kilauea Avenue and Palai Street.

Police said a sedan driven by a 57-year-old Hilo woman was headed east on Palai when it collided with the bus, which was headed north on Kilauea.

The bus ran off the road and overturned before coming to a rest in the yard of a residence at the intersection.

The bus was driven by a 58-year-old Hilo man. It carried nine students ranging in age from 3 to 8 and a female aide.

No injuries were reported, but the children were taken to Hilo Medical Center to be examined as a precaution.

Police ask that any witnesses to the accident contact Officer Nicole Leyson of the South Hilo Patrol Division at the Police Department's non-emergency line at 935-3311.