On Friday afternoon, a charter bus carrying 56 University of South Carolina students and their guests crashed in southern Mississippi while en route to a fraternity formal in New Orleans. The incident resulted in injuries to 11 individuals, including 10 students and the bus driver.
The crash occurred around 3 p.m. on Interstate 10 in Hancock County, Mississippi. According to reports from the Mississippi Highway Patrol, the bus driver lost control of the vehicle after one of its tires blew out. This led to a harrowing situation where the bus leaned to one side, causing the front windshield to shatter and the driver to be ejected.
Despite the chaos, a student onboard the bus displayed remarkable courage by grabbing the steering wheel and regaining control of the vehicle, ultimately bringing it to a stop. This swift action likely prevented further tragedy, as the bus had been traveling out of control for half a mile on the interstate.
Nine students were transported by ambulance to a local hospital, while the bus driver and another student were airlifted in critical condition. Fortunately, there were no fatalities reported due to the quick thinking and actions of both the driver and the students onboard.
The University of South Carolina issued a statement expressing concern for those involved in the accident and pledged to work closely with local authorities to provide support and assistance. The crash is currently under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol to determine the exact circumstances that led to the incident.
Our thoughts are with the students affected by this unfortunate event, and we hope for a speedy recovery for all those injured in the bus crash.
