Tragedy struck a South Carolina community when a school bus from Pine Ridge Middle School was involved in a fatal accident on Interstate 77 in Chester County, leading to the death of a 13-year-old boy and injuries to several others. According to a statement obtained by WBTV, the Chester County coroner's office identified the victim as Jose Maria Gonzales Linares, an eighth grader at the school.
Emergency services responded to the incident after one of the three school buses, carrying about 35 students and three adults, suffered a tire blowout. In the wake of the blowout, reported by Queen City News, the vehicle ran off the highway, struck a guardrail, and overturned near Exit 55. Returning home from a field trip in Charlotte, the other two buses in the convoy were not involved in the crash, which occurred about before 2 p.m. yesterday.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster expressed his condolences in a statement reported by WBTV, saying, "Today’s school bus accident in Chester County is a tragedy no family should ever have to endure," and encouraged the community to join in prayer for those affected. Meanwhile, a total of 38 patients were transported to various hospitals, as told by Chester County’s emergency management director to Channel 9. This included three airlifted and the rest by ground to facilities like Atrium and Prisma Main.
While initial investigations by the South Carolina Highway Patrol point to the blown tire as the cause, detailed inquiries continue. With many in the hospital reported to be in good condition by Queen City News, the emotional impact on the community remains heavy. At a prayer vigil held at the school, officials announced that counselors would be available for students to aid in the healing process as the community grapples with the loss of one of their own and the trauma caused by the accident.
