Charter buses wreck on I-85
Two South Carolina charter buses that were on their way to Carowinds wrecked on I-85 Friday morning, according to the Gastonia Police Department.
The buses were from Richard H. Gettys Middle School in Easley, South Carolina, said police spokesman Bill McGinty.
The buses collided at around 9:45 a.m. just before the ramp near exit 19 in the northbound lanes of the interstate.
According to Gastonia Police, traffic was heavy and while one bus braked, the driver of the bus behind it didn't stop fast enough and struck the first bus. The second bus then veered off the interstate into the woods. The main door to the buss off the road wasn't accessible, so first-responders used ladders to reach emergency exit windows, according to a press release from Gastonia Police.
Roughly 85 middle schoolers and 21 chaperones, as well as two drivers, were onboard.
The driver of one bus was transported to an area hospital with what appears to be minor injuries. Seven students also were transported with minor injuries, according to a statement from Pickens County Schools.
The remaining children and school personnel waited at the Bradley Community Center where the city of Gastonia treated them to a pizza lunch.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Charter buses wreck on I-85
