A charter bus carrying middle school students from South Carolina crashed on Interstate 95 in Florida on Thursday afternoon after a tire blew out.
The incident occurred around 3:16 p. m.
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near mile marker 298 in St. Johns County, close to the Flagler County line, according to the Florida Highway Patrol and St. Johns County Fire Rescue.
The bus was one of two vehicles transporting students and staff from Fairfield Middle School in Winnsboro, South Carolina, for an end-of-year trip.
First responders reported that the blowout caused the bus to hit the interstate guardrail, scattering debris and shutting down two southbound lanes.
Four individuals sustained minor injuries and were taken to a local hospital in stable condition for evaluation. Officials noted that three of the injured were teenagers.
The school district released a statement on social media on May 22 regarding the status of the passengers.
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“The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority,” the Fairfield County school district statement said.
Following the crash, emergency personnel and school administrators arranged a replacement transport for the remaining travelers.
“Students and chaperones were safely transferred and will continue travel plans under the supervision of district staff and the charter transportation provider,” the district statement added.
The school district thanked emergency services, chaperones, and the transport provider, and commended Fairfield Middle School Principal Dr. Dixon for his leadership during the response.
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Photographs posted to the school’s social media page on May 22 showed students later continuing their itinerary at an Orlando dinner show.
