South Carolina school bus flips on highway while returning from field trip

A school bus carrying nearly three dozen middle schoolers experienced a terrifying accident on Thursday while returning from a field trip outside Charlotte, North Carolina. The incident occurred at around 2 p.m. on the southbound side of Interstate 77 in Chester County near exit 55. The bus belonged to the Lexington County School District 2 and was transporting students and adults from Pine Ridge Middle School, as confirmed by the Chester County Sheriff’s Office.

The crash was a result of a blown tire on one of the three buses returning from the field trip. The bus was carrying three adults and approximately 35 students at the time of the accident. A total of 18 individuals were injured in the crash, according to reports from FOX 57.

Emergency services, law enforcement agencies, and school personnel responded promptly to the scene. Traffic in the area was expected to be disrupted for an extended period. First responders assessed all individuals involved in the crash, with some students requiring further evaluation at the hospital.

The Chester County School District took to Facebook to assure the community that they have personnel on site assisting with the situation. They expressed their thoughts, prayers, and support for those affected by the accident. The South Carolina Highway Patrol has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.

The Lexington County School District 2 did not provide additional details to Fox News Digital at the time of reporting. Our thoughts are with the students, staff, and families impacted by this unfortunate incident.

It is crucial to prioritize safety measures and ensure proper maintenance of school buses to prevent such accidents in the future. The well-being of students and staff should always be the top priority for educational institutions.

Author: Alexandra Koch
Source: Fox News Digital