ALAMANCE COUNTY, N.C. — As of Friday morning, three students have been discharged and four are still at UNC Hospital after a bus crash in Alamance County on Thursday, school officials said.
The students were hurt after an Alamance-Burlington school bus hit a building off Highway 87 near Judge Sharpe Road in Graham Thursday morning.
Troopers said bus 342 from B. Everett Jordan Elementary School hit the Lloyd Septic building around 7:20 a.m. as it was on the way to school. The district said 18 students were on board.
Seven students were injured. Six of them were taken to UNC Hospital and one other was taken to a nearby treatment facility by a parent for evaluation. The 10 other students on board were not hurt and were picked up by their parents at the scene.
Highway Patrol said the bus went off the road to the right before it hit a culvert and then hit the building. They're still investigating what caused the driver to crash.
Highway Patrol said the driver had minor injuries but was OK and didn't need to go to the hospital. Troopers charged the bus driver, 75-year-old Ronald Farrow, with failure to maintain lane control.
Atkins said the Lloyd family, who owns the building, came out to help and comfort the children when the crash happened.
ABSS Superintendent Dain Butler said he is grateful to the first responders, school staff, and community for their support.
"While this was an unsettling event, it highlights the care and humanity within our community," Butler said. "We are reminded of the good that comes when we work together, especially in difficult times."
ABSS had counselors available to students at the school on Thursday. Additional staff also rode the bus in the afternoon with students to offer comfort and support.
Editor's note: In an earlier report, the Alamance County Sheriff said eyewitnesses reported seeing a back tire on the bus blow out, possibly causing the driver to lose control. Highway Patrol has since provided an update and said there's no evidence indicating that a flat tire is what caused the driver to veer off the road. Troopers have charged the bus driver for failure to maintain lane control. They are still investigating what caused the crash.
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