School Bus Collision on Dragstrip Road Injures Two Students

Emergency responders work diligently at the scene of a school bus collision on Dragstrip Road.

News Summary

On March 24, a school bus carrying students from Jackson STEM Magnet Middle School and Silver Bluff High School was involved in a collision on Dragstrip Road. The incident occurred around 3:50 p.m. when a Chevrolet Equinox collided with the bus, resulting in minor injuries for two students. The bus driver and Equinox driver were both transported to medical facilities. The Aiken County School District acted swiftly to ensure the safety of students and provided counseling the following day. This incident has raised concerns about school transport safety.

Two High School Students Injured in School Bus Collision on Dragstrip Road

In a troubling incident that unfolded on Monday, March 24, a school bus filled with students found itself in an unexpected collision on the busy Dragstrip Road. The clock was ticking toward 3:50 p.m. when the events took a dramatic turn.

The vehicle involved in the mishap was a 2023 Thomas Bus, transporting a total of 32 students from both Jackson STEM Magnet Middle School and Silver Bluff High School. These students were presumably excited to head home after a busy day at school, but they ended up becoming part of a concerning story instead.

The bus was making its way south on Dragstrip Road when disaster struck. A grey 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, traveling in the opposite direction, suddenly left the right side of the roadway. After a brief moment, it re-entered Dragstrip Road, colliding directly with the school bus.

The unfortunate consequences of this incident led to injuries for two high school students who were onboard the bus. Thankfully, their injuries were deemed minor, but they were still quickly transported for medical care, just to be on the safe side. On the other hand, the driver of the Equinox sustained serious injuries and needed immediate emergency medical assistance from an ambulance. In addition, the bus driver also required transportation to a medical facility. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported at the scene.

When school administrators from both Jackson and Silver Bluff heard the news, they rushed to the accident scene to check on their students, displaying the urgency and responsibility that educators are known for. The Aiken County School District made sure to notify parents about the incident promptly, and it was clear that the school community came together to ensure student safety.

Due to the nature of the accident, an additional bus was dispatched to the scene to transport the students safely home after the chaos was over. The following day, Tuesday, March 25, counselors from both schools were made available to students. Given the severity of what had occurred, it was important to provide support to those who might still be shaken up by the day’s events.

As first responders worked earnestly at the crash site, Dragstrip Road was blocked off until early evening, causing a bit of a disruption for local traffic. Workers at a nearby Shell Gas station reported seeing several first responders and ambulances, demonstrating just how serious the situation had become.

This horrific incident has sparked discussions around school safety, especially regarding transport. It has led to renewed consideration of *implementing* technology that would allow teachers in South Carolina to call 9-1-1 with a simple click of a button, which could potentially help in emergencies like this one.

As the dust settled, the school bus involved in the accident was ultimately towed away from the scene around 8:30 p.m. that evening, marking the end of a stressful day for many in the Aiken County community.

As students transition back to normalcy, the incident serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for vigilance among drivers, especially in school zones.