NEW ORLEANS — A charter bus carrying 56 students from the University of South Carolina rolled over while traveling on Interstate 10 headed to New Orleans, according to Nola.com.
The crash happened around 3:30 p.m. Friday when the bus had a blowout and rolled on its side near the Diamondhead and Mississippi 603 exits, said the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
Officials said the students on the bus are members USC’s Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, and were on their way to New Orleans to attend a formal party, Nola.com reported.
Officials said two victims were taken from the scene by a helicopter, including the bus driver who was ejected at the time of the crash.
When the driver was ejected, a student named Paul Clune grabbed the wheel and managed to stop the bus.
According to our partners, 11 were injured and nine students were brought to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The westbound lanes of I-10 were blocked for hours as first responders and authorities helped students and cleared roadways, Nola.com reported.
Officials said school buses came to bring uninjured students to safety.
It is unknown if the students were traveling for a school event, Mississippi Highway Patrol Trooper Cal Robertson said.
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