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UPDATE: More than 50 injured in school bus wreck
bus wreck on I20 5-19-12 IMG 9137 recut 2

UPDATE (May 19, 4:11 p.m.): More than 50 adults and students were checked for injuries at local hospitals Saturday after a chain collision involving six school buses and a passenger car on I-20 westbound near mile marker 98 in Newton County.

One school bus driver, Angela Anthony, 44, of Midville, Ga. was airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment for serious injuries. Anthony had to be cut from the wreckage. Two others were transported to area hospitals with visible, non-threatening injuries.  

Georgia State Patrol said as the buses slowed, one bus struck the rear of another setting off a chain reaction crash. A passenger car was the last vehicle in line and struck the rear of the last bus.

The students were headed to Six Flags as a reward for performing well on the CRCT.

The students were from Burke County Middle School in Waynesboro, according to officials at the scene.

I-20 westbound was completely blocked off at Exit 98 for several hours while officers directed traffic off of the interstate. US Highway 278 was backed up as well from those trying to avoid the accident.

The wreck occurred around 11 a.m. The wreck was cleared around 4 p.m.

Morgan County sent several buses to the scene to help transport uninjured children.

The crash remains under investigation by the Georgia Sate Patrol in Monroe and the Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team.

 

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(May 19, 12:31 p.m.) Seven school buses were involved in accident on I-20 westbound in Newton County near mile marker 98, authorities said.

33 students were injured. One person was transported to Newton Medical Center for treatment, according to Georgia State Patrol.

GSP currently does not have an exact number of people injured.

Law enforcement officials at the scene said the wreck began after a school bus driver in front slammed on his brakes. The buses following that particular bus then rear-ended each other.

The buses were headed to Six Flags. The students were from Burke County Middle School in Waynesboro, according to officials at the scene.

I-20 westbound is completely blocked off at Exit 98 and officers are directing traffic off of the interstate. A reporter on the scene said it took her 40 minutes to get from Stanton Springs to Hwy. 11

 

Check back for more information on this developing story.