Johnthony Walker (pictured), 24, has been charged with multiple counts of vehicular homicide, reckless endangerment and reckless driving after horrific bus crash

A bus driver who was transporting 35 students from an elementary school has been arrested after at least five children were killed following a horrific crash.

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

The bus that Walker was driving crashed and wrapped around a tree Monday afternoon, authorities confirmed.

Five children died at the scene.

Walker is charged with five counts of vehicular homicide, but could face more charges as the case proceeds to a Hamilton County Grand Jury, Fletcher said.

It is unclear at this time what led to the crash.

Fletcher said that speed is being investigated 'very, very strongly' as a possible factor, adding that driving conditions were clear and dry.

He said 'a warrant has been issued to remove the informational box on the school bus and review the video', CNN reported.

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Walker is charged with five counts, but could face more charges after the bus he was driving crashed (pictured) killing at least five children in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Twenty-three more people were sent to area hospitals

Police Chief Fred Fletcher said 35 schoolchildren were on the bus Monday afternoon. The Chattanooga Fire Department said around 5.30pm that the last patient was extricated from the bus

A woman was spotted escorting three children who were on the bus at the time of the crash. The children all had cuts, bruises and scratches on them as they were taken away from the scene

A neighbor living on Talley Road near the crash said that the children were escaping from the roof hatch of the bus. Two children are pictured on the ground in front of a home with authorities and first-responders

District Attorney Neal Pinkston initially told WRCB that six people had died. However, police reconfirmed that the actual fatality count was five victims and not six.

Twenty-three more victims were sent to Erlanger Hospital after the bus crashed.

Fletcher said 35 schoolchildren were on the bus Monday afternoon.

Bloodied students lay on stretchers, while other children walked away dazed with their parents after the Monday afternoon crash.

At the scene, parents were heard crying and screaming 'that's my baby' as they arrived, CNN reported.

Fletcher did not have information about the extent of injuries.

He said the crash was 'every public safety professional's worst nightmare'.

He also said at a news conference that the bus was the only vehicle involved in the crash.

Chattanooga Police Assistant Chief Tracy Arnold said officials would not identify the students who died, or their ages, until parents were notified.

Some children were trapped in the bus and firefighters had to break into the vehicle to extricate them, according to WDEF-TV.

The Chattanooga Fire Department said around 5.30pm that the last patient was extricated from the bus.

The students on board ranged from kindergarten through fifth grade.

At the state Capitol in Nashville, Gov Bill Haslam called the crash 'a tragic event' and offered assistance.

The bus was carrying students from Woodmore Elementary when it crashed around 3.20pm along 313 Talley Road.

A neighbor living on Talley Road near the crash told NewsChannel 9 that the children were escaping from the roof hatch.

Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke told loved ones to go to the elementary school for more information.

Fletcher said at a news conference that the bus was the only vehicle involved in the crash

Blood Assurance released a statement calling for the community to donate blood. The organization said it is in 'critical need for blood' for the 23 victims who were taken to area hospitals. Residents in the area are pictured standing in line to donate blood

It is unclear at this time what led to the crash, but police said the bus driver is cooperating with them. First responders continued to work the scene for several hours

He tweeted: 'Please pray for the families of those affected by this horrible accident.'

Congressman Chuck Fleischmann shared his condolences to the families of those lost on his Facebook.

'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.'

The National Transportation Safety Board tweeted that a team would be heading to Chattanooga on Tuesday morning to investigate.

Blood Assurance released a statement calling for the community to donate blood.

The students on board ranged from kindergarten through fifth grade. At the state Capitol in Nashville, Gov Bill Haslam called the crash 'a tragic event' and offered assistance. Emergency personnel are pictured working the scene of the crash

Parents received text message notifying them of the crash. The message said that 'extra counselors and support staff' would be coming in from all over the state to help students process the tragedy

The organization said it is in 'critical need for blood' for the 23 victims who were taken to area hospitals.

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

Mindy Quinn from Blood Assurance told CNN that 'hundreds and hundreds' of donors flocked to give blood to treat crash victims.

'We have had people who were refusing to leave until they give blood,' Quinn said.

Parents received text message notifying them of the crash, according to WDEF.

'We just wanted to inform you that Hamilton County schools faced a great tragedy today. School and county personnel are on scene of a bus accident on Tally Road in Chattanooga.

The message said that 'extra counselors and support staff' would be coming in from all over the state to help students process the tragedy.

Superintendent Kirk Kelly said that schools will be open on Tuesday with guidance counselors and support at schools for students and staff, according the Times Free Press.