One person died tragically this morning and many other were injured, after a charter bus carrying Houston-area band students from Channelview High School crashed in Baldwin County, Alabama.
Charter Bus With at Least 45 Aboard Entered Median, Plunged Into 50-Foot Ravine
The charter bus, operated by Houton-based First Class Tours, had at least 45 people on board and was returning the students to Texas after a trip to Disney World. The crash occurred around 5:30 a.m. local time, along Interstate-10 near the Florida-Alabama boarder.
For reasons that are unclear at this time, the bus entered the median of the interstate and plunged into a 50-foot ravine, striking a bridge support when it landed.
Rescue efforts were complicated by the depth of the ravine.
“The bus came to rest on one side down in the ravine,” Baldwin County Sheriff Huey Hoss Mack said during a briefing with reporters this morning. “Those had to either be brought up by ropes or rappelling individuals from the fire department during the rescue operation. Some were carried out by either deputies or other law enforcement.”
The last victim wasn’t pulled from the bus until shortly before 9:00 a.m.
Charter Bus Driver Died at Scene, Dozens Transported to Local Hospitals
The driver of the bus died at the scene. He has not been identified.
Six or seven Medevac helicopters were called in to transport victims to local hospitals.
Five people are listed in serious condition, while one is critical.
A Baldwin County Sherriff’s deputy was also injured in the rescue effort.
While it’s not clear exactly how many were hurt in the crash, Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola has confirmed receiving at least 18 accident victims.
Injured passengers were also taken to several other local hospitals, including:
- Baptist Hospital
- University of West Florida
- South Baldwin Regional Medical Center
- Thomas Hospital
- Thomas Hospital Urgent Care (Daphne, AL)
- USA Medical Center
Second Charter Bus Carrying Channelview Students Returning to Texas
The Channelview Independent School District released the following statement this morning:
“A charter bus transporting Channelview High School band students was involved in an accident on Interstate 10 in Alabama early this morning. At this time, details are limited. We are in contact with law enforcement in Alabama trying to obtain further information.”
A second charter bus carrying Channelview students was not involved in the accident and is heading back to the Houston area.
Family members seeking information about those involved in the bus crash can call 251-972-6807.
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