A bus rolled over during an accident along I-95 in Maryland on Sunday, injuring 27 passengers, with 15 people transported to local hospitals.
The bus was the only vehicle involved in the incident, according to Maryland State Police.
“Dan Rodriguez, a Megabus spokesman, said in an email that the driver of the bus was among the 15 people taken to the hospital. Several of them have already been released and will be provided transportation to their final destination,” CBS News reported.
“The company will be conducting a thorough review of what happened, he said, but did not have further comment on the circumstances surrounding the crash,” he added.
Here is a brief summary of this morning's mass casualty response to Megabus rollover on I-95 near #Kingsville. 27 patients suffered minor injuries & 15 of those were transported. https://t.co/Ug08b2RLg4 EA pic.twitter.com/PbjoaP4XC2
— Baltimore County Fire Department (@BaltCoFire) May 22, 2022
A press release from the Baltimore County Fire Department regarding the incident stated, “The bus rolled over near Bradshaw and Raphel roads. It was carrying 47 people. Twenty-seven people suffered minor injuries. Twelve of those refused transport, and 15 were transported to local hospitals.
“Fire and rescue crews were dispatched at 6:55 a.m. Units from Harford County also responded under mutual aid agreements.”
Local reporter Paul Gessler posted a video from the scene, noting two critical injuries. The southbound lanes were closed as emergency personnel handled the incident and moved the turned-over bus.
VIDEO: Two critical injuries in I-95 overturned bus crash. SB lanes remain closed at the Level Rd. exit. NB has delays, but has reopened. pic.twitter.com/0yR0RKRsHn
— Paul Gessler (@PaulGessler) May 15, 2017
Taylor Morningstar, who works for a local garage that towed the bus away, said by phone that a tire on the passenger side was “most of the way ripped off, probably because of the way (the bus) came down into that ravine,” according to the Associated Press.
“It looked like they may have kicked the windshield out to start funneling (people) out of the bus,” said Morningstar.
He said the bus had a skylight on the roof that was “spiderwebbed” from the impact, according to the report.
The accident was one of a growing number of recent bus incidents nationwide. Three players were injured earlier this month when a charter bus transporting the Murray State softball team was involved in a two-vehicle crash on the way to the NCAA Tournament in Alabama.
“Murray State athletic director Kevin Saal said during a news conference Thursday the three had injuries that weren’t life threatening after the accident Wednesday. The school noted that others aboard were safe and unharmed,” according to the Associated Press.
“We communicated immediately with the student-athletes’ families and loved ones just to make sure they were aware that everyone was safe,” he added.
In Charlotte, North Carolina, this month, more than a dozen students were treated for injuries at a local hospital after a school bus was involved in a head-on crash.
The driver of a dump truck told investigators he fell asleep while driving. The preliminary police report stated that the dump truck crossed over the center line and hit the bus and another vehicle, WCNC-TV Charlotte reported.
A total of 16 total people were hurt, including 14 students, the outlet stated.