Investigation underway into school bus rollover in Leland

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — Emergency crews responded Wednesday to a crash involving an overturned Cumberland County Schools activity bus on a highway ramp in Brunswick County, sending four people to the hospital and closing part of the roadway for hours.

The crash occurred on the ramp from U.S. Highway 17 North to U.S. Highway 74 West, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

The activity bus was carrying 33 people — 26 students and seven faculty and staff members — from Douglas Byrd High School in Fayetteville. The group had been in Brunswick County for a 7-on-7 football scrimmage against South Brunswick High School and was heading home when the bus overturned.

Four people — two adults and two students — were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The remaining passengers were taken by Brunswick County’s mass evacuation bus for medical evaluation, according to a spokesperson for the Town of Leland.

Leland Fire Battalion Chief James Lancaster said first responders prioritized those with the most serious injuries.

“There were a lot of people who were cut, there were a lot of bruises, there may have been some broken bones, one subject said that she was unable to feel her legs, and so those people took the priority,” said Lancaster.

South Brunswick High School football coach Daniel Yow said he was alarmed to learn about the crash involving the team his players had just faced. He said he immediately called Douglas Byrd coach Salas to check on everyone.

“They flipped their bus trying to get on 74 from what I heard. I called Coach Salas and asked to make sure everybody was all right. I asked if there’s anything that we needed to do for him or could do for him. And he said everybody seemed to be pretty good. Couple scrapes, couple bruises, and you know, at that time EMS was already there evaluating everybody,” said Yow.

Cumberland County Schools released a statement saying, “We appreciate the quick response of law enforcement and medical personnel. Our focus at this time is on supporting our students, staff and families.”

The cause of the crash has not been released.

The bus was towed away just before 7:30 pm on Wednesday, reopening the ramp to traffic.