Former mayor of Attleboro dies in bus accident

A former mayor of the city of Attleboro died and five people were injured after the 78-year-old’s car hit a regional bus Monday on Route 1 in North Attleborough, officials said.

Former mayor Judy Robbins was driving her car when it struck the rear of the bus near the Pineapple Inn at about 2 p.m, the North Attleborough Fire Department and the Attleboro mayor’s office said.

North Attleborough Fire Chief Ted Joubert said responders performed CPR on Robbins at the scene, and she was brought to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, where she was pronounced dead.

Joubert said that a medical condition — not the car accident — is believed to be the cause of death.

The bus, which had eight to 10 passengers on board, stopped on impact, Joubert said. Five passengers were brought to the hospital with injuries that are not considered life-threatening.

Robbins served as mayor for 12 years, until 2003, the current mayor, Kevin J. Dumas said. Before that, she worked with the city’s Planning Board and City Council, he said. Her work for the city began in 1968.