Chester County, S.C. — A tragic bus accident involving students from Pine Ridge Middle School resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries on Thursday. The incident occurred as three buses were returning from a field trip on Interstate 77 in Chester County.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported that the accident happened when one of the buses suffered a tire blowout, leading to a loss of control. Subsequently, the bus veered off the road, collided with a guardrail, and overturned. The crash unfolded at around 1:47 p.m., prompting a swift response from emergency services.
Lancaster County EMS disclosed that several individuals sustained injuries in the crash, some of which are critical. Authorities confirmed that three adults and approximately 35 students were on the affected bus, while the other two buses in the convoy were not involved in the accident.
Tiffany Porterfield, a mother of one of the students, expressed her relief and concern at the scene. “I’m grateful he’s okay. My heart hurts for the kids that are not; for the parents that are trying to get up here to their kids and the ones going up to the hospital to meet their injured children,” Porterfield shared. She also mentioned that a teacher was severely injured and had to be airlifted to a hospital.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene immediately following the crash. Wesley Willis, an eighth grader, recounted the moments after the accident: “I looked up and saw the bus had flipped over. Kids were screaming, teachers were trying to get off the bus, trying to help students that were on the bus that flipped over.”
Following the incident, several students were transported to the hospital for further medical evaluation, although specifics regarding their conditions were not immediately available. The identity of the deceased has not been released.
The aftermath of the crash saw emotional and administrative responses from various officials. State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver said, “Our hearts are broken by the tragic bus accident in Chester County this afternoon. Our 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.”
Governor Henry McMaster also commented on the devastating event, stating, “Today’s school bus accident in Chester County is a tragedy no family should ever have to endure. Peggy 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.”
As the investigation continues, families of the students gathered at a reunification center set up behind a Shell gas station in Blackstock to support each other and receive updates.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is leading the ongoing investigation to determine the precise cause of the accident and to develop strategies to prevent such incidents in the future. This tragic event underscores the importance of vehicle maintenance and safety protocols, particularly in school transportation settings.