One day after a Douglas Byrd High School activity bus overturned on a highway ramp near Leland, students and staff were back on campus Thursday for a rally, wellness checks and a whole lot of quiet relief. School leaders pulled the plug on upcoming football scrimmages, brought in counselors and extra medical staff, and spent the day checking in on players and families instead of checking game film.
School Response And Support
Principal Kenneth Williams said the district's top priority is making sure everyone affected gets the help they need, with counselors standing by for parents and students, in a statement to ABC11. He noted that the bus driver is experienced and "is receiving support" while recovering from the crash.
Staff spent much of the day in practical mode, coordinating wellness checks, tracking medical updates and trying to give students space to process what happened.
What Happened On The Ramp
Leland police and first responders said the activity bus was carrying 33 people - 26 students and seven adults - as it headed back from a 7-on-7 scrimmage at South Brunswick High School, according to WECT. The call came in shortly after 11:30 a.m., and the crash happened on the ramp from U.S. Highway 17 North to U.S. Highway 74 West, a stretch that was shut down while crews worked the scene.
The wreck triggered a major traffic backup as emergency responders navigated the ramp to reach students and staff.
Injuries And Emergency Response
Four people - two students and two adults - were taken by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries, and others on the bus were transported to local hospitals for evaluation, Port City Daily reports. Leland Fire Battalion Chief James Lancaster described cuts and bruises among passengers and said crews focused first on those with the most serious wounds while triage was underway.
First responders continued assessments on scene while school and district officials began notifying families.
Investigation And Safety Context
Officials have not released a cause of the crash, and the Leland Police Department is investigating, according to WRAL. Under North Carolina law, a "school activity bus" is treated differently from a regular yellow school bus, with separate rules that cover things like driver certification, pre-trip inspections and other safety practices.
Those guidelines are spelled out in state law and transportation manuals, including the vehicle definitions in the North Carolina General Statutes and the NC Bus Safety Transportation Director's Manual.
What’s Next For The Team
Cumberland County Schools said all students and staff were released from hospitals except for one staff member who remained under observation, and officials plan to continue wellness checks as school activities resume, according to ABC11. The district also thanked first responders and urged families to reach out to school counselors if they need additional support while the athletic calendar gets a fresh look.
For now, football can wait. Getting everyone fully back on their feet, physically and mentally, is the play that matters.
