A school bus filled with middle school students overturned on a South Carolina highway Thursday, leaving several children injured and a community in shock. The bus, carrying 35 students and two adults from Pine Ridge Middle School, was returning from a field trip when the accident occurred.
According to authorities, the crash happened after a sudden tire blowout caused the bus to veer off course and flip onto its side. Witnesses described a frantic scene as passing motorists stopped to help while emergency crews rushed to the overturned vehicle.
Rescue teams worked quickly to free trapped students, using tools to smash windows and pry open emergency exits. Some children were pulled from beneath seats and debris as medical helicopters landed nearby to transport the most seriously injured.
Hospitals reported treating students for various injuries, including broken bones, cuts, and head trauma. At least six children were listed in serious but stable condition overnight, while the two adult chaperones were hospitalized with less severe injuries.
The school district quickly notified parents and set up a reunification center, where emotional families gathered to find their children. One shaken parent said, “I couldn’t stop thinking the worst until I saw my child safe.”
Investigators say the bus was driven by a contracted employee who is cooperating with the inquiry. Early evidence points to an unexpected tire failure as the cause, though a full mechanical review is ongoing.
Superintendent Dr. Linda Holmes called the crash “a devastating event” but expressed gratitude that no lives were lost. The National Transportation Safety Board has joined the investigation, examining maintenance records and driver history.
Pine Ridge Middle School canceled classes Friday and will offer counseling to students and staff. As the community comes together to support the injured, officials credit the fast response of emergency crews and bystanders for preventing further tragedy.
