By Andrew Dys, Javon L. Harris, Bristow Marchant
The Charlotte Observer
LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. 鈥� A 13-year-old boy was killed when a school bus carrying students from Pine Ridge Middle School in Lexington County blew a tire and flipped on Interstate 77 while returning from a field trip in the Charlotte area, officials said.
Traffic on I-77 in South Carolina was blocked in both directions for miles after the school bus carrying around 35 students and three adults crashed in Chester County, officials said. One of the occupants on the bus died, later confirmed by Chester County Coroner Terry Tinker to have been a boy in the eighth grade.
The family of the deceased has asked that his name not be released, according to Tinker.
The Lexington 2 school district said in a release that early reports have an estimated 35 students and four adults being transported to the hospital, including a few from two other school buses traveling with the one that crashed. The other two buses 鈥渕aneuvered to avoid the accident.鈥�
Chester County Emergency Management reported that 21 students were transported to the hospital from the bus that flipped.
鈥淎 reunification site was set up nearby at Exit 48 for Pine Ridge Middle School families. Riders on all three buses cleared by EMS after a medical evaluation were taken to the reunification site for pickup,鈥� Lexington 2 said in its release.
The northbound lanes of I-77 near the crash site were reopened after 4 p.m. but the southbound lanes were closed longer at mile marker 54 as crews worked the scene, according to Chester County Emergency Management Director Ed Darby.
The bus, along with the two others, was traveling south on I-77 following a field trip near Charlotte, a district news release said.
A tire blew on one of the buses causing it to crash, according to the Lexington 2 school district. The school鈥檚 calendar shows an eighth-grade field trip was scheduled for April 17.
According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the bus traveled off the right side of I-77, hit a guard rail, then overturned.
Emergency officials transported the students by ambulance or helicopter to area hospitals, Darby said. The conditions of those transported was not available.
Multiple agencies from Chester and surrounding counties including York and Lancaster responded to the crash with emergency personnel, vehicles, equipment and support, said T. Melton, chief of Richburg Fire Rescue. Volunteer fire crews from several Chester County departments were among those who responded, as well as EMS from Chester, Lancaster and York counties, Melton said.
A police officer for Pine Ridge, a small town near West Columbia, was at the front entrance of the middle school Thursday afternoon and said parents were gathering there to be reunited with students as they returned to campus. A prayer vigil was held at the school Friday morning, with members of the local community gathering around the flag pole.
State and local leaders across South Carolina offered their condolences and support after the crash.
鈥淭oday鈥檚 school bus accident in Chester County is a tragedy no family should ever have to endure,鈥� Gov. Henry McMaster wrote on X. 鈥淧eggy and I are heartbroken. Please join us in praying for the victim, their family, a speedy recovery for those injured, and the entire Lexington Two community. All of South Carolina is with you.鈥�
State Superintendent Ellen Weaver also released a statement.
鈥淥ur hearts are broken by the tragic bus accident in Chester County this afternoon,鈥� Weaver said. 鈥淥ur entire state is mourning alongside the Pine Ridge Middle School families, friends, classmates, and educators. Please join me in praying for the Lexington Two community.鈥�
The Pine Ridge Police Department said that it was on site at the school to assist families in any way it can.
鈥淥ur hearts are heavy as we think of the students, their families, the school community, and all those affected by this terrible tragedy,鈥� the department wrote on Facebook. 鈥淧lease take a moment to lift them all in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.鈥�
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