Multiple deaths; injuries after bus hits overpass in North Carolina

A wreck involving a charter bus killed at least two people and injured dozens from a football squad of SC players and closed United States 74/I-74 in Richmond County on Saturday afternoon, according to media reports.

Lt. Jeff Gordon of the N.C. Highway Patrol said that some of the parents of the football players on the charter bus, who were following behind it, pulled over to help the injured passengers as much as possible while waiting for emergency responders and the police to arrive. “I had no idea as to what I was recording until I saw the bus and you can hear how shocked I was”, said Kelly Carpenter, the woman who shot the video, in a message to Storyful.

It could take months before investigators reconstruct the accident and finalize their findings, Gordan said.

The football team was set to play the University of God’s Chosen in Fayetteville.

NBC Charlotte’s Mike Hanson was told that family members of the players were following the bus and witnessed the crash. Authorities say the injuries range from minor to critical. According to Hellingsworth, the game between the two colleges had been planned since late July and that the two teams were even planning to have a family style meal afterwards. “It is unclear at this time if Clinton College has an actual football team or if their students participate in an off-campus athletic football team”, said the NCSHP.

Numerous students were football players from Ramah Jucco Academy in Rock Hill, S.C., Lt. Jeff Gordon of the Highway Patrol told WNCN-TV. Then, he asked for everyone to “pray for Coach Bakari Rawlinson” as well as the “student athletes” on the charter bus.

Photos of the crash scene showed a large bus that was damaged heavily on the driver’s side, which part of the side ripped open. The Ramah Juco coach was hurt in the crash.

All westbound lanes were closed on Interstate 74 following the incident.

North Carolina Fire Fighters tweeted pictures of the incident from Rockingham.