A morning school bus accident today on Johnson Bridge Road in eastern Burke County has left at least one person seriously injured. According to BCPS Public Information Officer Cheryl Shuffler, the accident occurred just after 7 a.m.
There were 11 people on the bus, including nine students, a driver and a bus monitor. The students attend East Burke and Draughn high schools, and Hallyburton Academy.
N.C. State Highway Patrol Segregant Aaron Johnson reported that the bus was traveling towards Old NC 10 when the driver overcorrected, causing the bus to overturn. The bus came to a stop partially in a cow pasture and partially in the roadway.
The bus monitor had been ejected from the bus and was airlifted to a medical center in Charlotte, said Johnson.
Five students were transported to UNC Health Blue Ridge, two people, including the bus driver were taken to Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory, and two students were sent to the Valdese Hospital, according to Shuffler. One student was released to a parent at the scene.
There were no other vehicles involved in the accident, said Johnson.
Johnson confirmed that the bus driver had been cited for failing to maintain the lane. Authorities are continuing to investigate the accident to inspect the bus for any mechanical issues.
