A middle school student died Thursday afternoon when a school bus overturned on the highway after blowing a tire, police said.
The crash occurred around 1:47 p.m. on Interstate 77 in Chester County and involved a bus carrying about 35 students from Pine Ridge Middle School and two adults.
South Carolina Highway Patrol Sgt. Tyler Tidwell said the bus was traveling southbound when it “traveled off of the road to the right, struck a guard rail, and overturned.”
The students were reportedly returning from a field trip outside Charlotte, North Carolina.
Authorities identified the male victim as a 13-year-old eighth grader at Pine Ridge.
The crash also resulted in “multiple injuries,” but officials did not confirm the number of victims who were taken to area hospitals or their current condition.
“We are grateful for the support of our EMS, first responders, and law enforcement partners, both those based here locally and those up the road at the affected Interstate 77 sites,” the school district said.
“They worked tirelessly today to assist our Lexington Two students, families, and employees.”
