School Bus Crash In Caldwell County Injures Driver, Eight Students

On the morning of January 6, eight South Caldwell High School students sustained personal injuries when the bus they were passengers in crashed along Hills Road near Granite Falls in Caldwell County.

According to reports, Caldwell County Schools Bus No. 253 was on its way to South Caldwell High School when it hit an icy patch and went out of control. The school bus, transporting 25 students at the time, careened off the road and collided with a tree.

Students aboard the bus say the tree prevented the bus from overturning.

Eight students received transport from Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to hospitals around the area to undergo treatment for unspecified injuries. The driver of the bus also sustained injuries.

According to officials for Caldwell County Schools, the 6:30 a.m. school bus crash took place two hours after the district had a few people check weather and roadway conditions. From 4 a.m. to 5:30 a.m., roadway conditions were suitable for driving. But shortly after the decision to begin school on a normal bus route, temperatures dropped below freezing, resulting in black ice forming.

The injured students are expected to be alright.