29/April/2018 – MCI – Bus Accident – “B” Shift

Incident # 18-03021 – Seventeen people were injured when a charter bus lost control and crashed on I-95 near the 68 mile marker early Sunday morning 29-April. The incident was reported at 01:10 after the northbound charter bus left the roadway and entered the median. The bus continued through the cable barrier, crossed the southbound lane then went down an embankment before entering the woods and striking several trees. Witnesses advised the large bus almost collided with a south bound tractor trailer truck as it crossed the southbound lanes of traffic. The tractor trailer stopped and the truck driver helped pry the door open on the bus so the occupants could escape. The bus was carrying 30 high school students and chaperones who were part of a high school chorus group returning from a Florida trip. They attended the Beddingfield High School in Wilson NC. A second charter bus carrying 32 students was not involved in the accident and witnessed the crash. The driver of the second bus was able to return the accident site. Fire Rescue units responded initially with one ambulance and an Engine. Initial dispatch information to 9-1-1 indicted only one person was hurt. After arriving Medic 26 requested two additional ambulances. Eleven students and adults were treated and transported to Colleton Medical Center (CMC) by ambulance. Two, including the bus driver, suffered significant injuries. The others received non-life threatening injuries (bumps, bruises, cuts and fractures). The lead bus dropped off his passengers at the Circle “C” Truck Stop and returned to the accident location.

The remaining 19 people were loaded on the lead bus and driven to CMC. A Fire-Rescue Supervisor stood by at the Circle “C” Truck Stop with the group until the first bus could return. Once the bus dropped off the first group of students, the bus returned to Circle “C” and picked up the remaining members of the group, then transported them to CMC. The hospital staff efficiently handled the sudden influx of patients and quickly opened the Cafeteria to house the uninjured students and staff. They remained in the cafeteria for about four hours until another bus came to pick them up. The charter bus owner as well as some parents traveled to Walterboro.  Six other students were evaluated in the hospital ED after arriving at CMC. A total of seventeen were treated for injuries. The SC Hwy Patrol is investigating the crash. All students and staff were released by early morning. The bus driver remains hospitalized at CMC. The Beddingfield High School principal was with the group in the first bus and was not injured. He stayed with the students in the ED. All the students were exceptional, calm and well behaved, which made the incident run much smoother. Colleton County High School band Director Tom Finigan came to the hospital to provide support.

Engine 26, Medic 1, Medic 19, Medic 26, Battalion 1, Car 105 and Car 112 responded. Captain Roger Johnston served as Incident Commander.