At least one person has been killed and several others are reported seriously wounded Tuesday after a bus packed with high school students hurtled into a 50-foot Alabama ravine. The teens were trapped inside the mangled vehicle until rescuers could abseil down to help them.
A sheriff stated that about 45 people were on board the bus when the crash occurred, as reported by Associated Press.
The bus was heading back to Houston, Texas following a school trip at around 5:30 a.m. when it smashed into a highway median on Interstate 10 and plunged down into the ravine in Baldwin County, Sheriff Huey Hoss Mack said in a news conference.
“We have multiple injuries; the bus went down into a ravine,” said Chris Elliott, a Baldwin County commissioner,” as reported by Fox News. “The fire department and officers are having to rappel down into the area to get into it.”
“A charter bus transporting Channelview High School band students was involved in an accident on Interstate 10 in Alabama early this morning. At this time, details are limited,” added Mark Kramer, a spokesman for Channelview Independent School District in unincorporated Harris County, Texas.
Channelview High School band students were returning from a trip to Disney. At least six helicopters were used in the massive rescue efforts.
“We have one confirmed fatality. We utilized 10 different hospitals were individuals have been transported to Sacred Heart, Baptist, University of West Florida Hospital in Florida, South Baldwin Regional Medical Center, Thomas Hospital, Thomas Hospital Emergency Urgent Care, and USA Hospital in Alabama,” said Baldwin County Sheriff Hoss Mack, according to WCYB.
Prayers for all the students and family of Texas high school band members in tour bus crash this morning.
— Vicki LaBerge (@laberge_vic) March 13, 2018
Many took to the Channelview High School Falcon Band Facebook page to send messages of prayer and support.
“Praying for members of this band family. Band family is band family no matter where they are from,” one person wrote. “Tearful prayers for each of you & your families,” another added.
“Praying for the students, faculty and their families.”
Do take a moment to pray those affected by this tragic accident.
Note: We will keep you updated as more information comes in.