Bus driver cited in I-85 Gaston County crash, 7 children injured: Police

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) – A bus driver has been cited for failure to reduce speed in a multi-vehicle bus crash that injured seven children Friday, Gastonia Police said.

The accident happened at 9:42 a.m. Friday, April 26, along northbound Interstate 85 in Gastonia.

Authorities report that first responders got to the scene of the wreck within three minutes. The two buses were transporting about 85 students and school staff from Richard H. Gettys Middle School in Easley, South Carolina, to Carowinds for a band field trip.

Gastonia Police said heavy traffic on I-85 caused one of the buses to stop suddenly approaching Exit 19 (N.C. 7), and the other bus driver could not stop fast enough and rear-ended the bus in front.

The second bus then veered off the interstate and into the woods. Police said the main door to the bus that went off the interstate was not accessible, so first responders used ladders to reach the emergency exit windows and get passengers out safely.

“At this time, we can’t get patient access due to where the door of the bus is wedged into the tree line,” said first responders on emergency communications radio traffic.

“It’s there waiting on you,” said another first responder.

The driver of that bus was transported to the hospital with minor injuries and cited for failure to reduce speed. Seven children were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, mostly bumps and bruises, police said.

The remaining children and school staff waited at the Bradley Community Center where the Gastonia city staff treated them to a pizza lunch.

“They were a little upset but most of them stayed fairly calm,” said Sgt. Joe Bain with the Gastonia Police Department.

The students were taken to a fire station first.

“The chaperones that were with the kids did an excellent job of keeping them calm and getting all the information that we needed,” said Bain.

This multi-vehicle crash remains under investigation.

The district provided the following statement to Queen City News:

“The accident involved one charter bus colliding with the second bus. The accident occurred at approximately 9:45 a.m. There were 85 students and 21 chaperones on the buses. 106 total riders.

Emergency medical teams arrived and assisted individuals as needed. After assessing all the individuals, five students and one driver were transported for further medical attention or to be assessed for minor injuries.

We have notified parents and guardians of students involved in the accident.

We are relieved that there were no serious injuries and we are thankful for the prompt response of the Gaston County Emergency Services and law enforcement.”

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