03/September/2014 – School Bus MVC – “A” Shift

Incident # 14-05217 – A loaded Lowcountry Community Action Agency school bus lost control in the 8500 block of Cottageville Highway (US Hwy 17-A) Wednesday morning 03-September. The accident was reported at 08:36 after the bus left the roadway and drove down an embankment stopping in the ditch. The bus received minor damage. Engine 9 and Medic 9 arrived to find three adults and twenty seven pre-K children in the grassy area next to the highway. Two of the adults complained of non-life threatening traumatic injuries. A second ambulance and additional resources were requested to respond. Crews triaged the scene and verified none of the children complained of any injuries. Each child was reported to have been wearing seatbelts. The school however advised they wanted all of the children evaluated at the hospital. The Headstart School is located about one mile from the accident scene, so a second school bus was brought to the accident site. All of the children were placed on the second bus and Firefighter-Paramedics from Medic 9 accompanied the bus to Colleton Medical Center. The two adults were immobilized and transported by Medic 19 to CMC. Traffic on the narrow Cottageville Highway was stopped for about an hour.

Colleton Medical Center called in additional staff to handle the increased number patients, but they were well prepared and had all of the patients discharged before mid-day.  The SC Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.

Engine 9, Medic 9, Medic 19, Battalion 1, Car 12 and Car 116 responded. Lt. Jimmy Jacques and Battalion Chief Dan Barb operated the command post.