Seven people died in an early morning bus crash along a Mississippi highway, cops revealed.
A 2018 Volvo commercial passenger bus was traveling westbound on Interstate 20 near Bovina in Warren County around 12:40 am when it overturned on its side, the Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) told WJTV.
Six passengers were pronounced deceased at the scene, and one died at Merit Health River Region in Vicksburg.
Those killed in the crash include a pair of siblings, who were 6 and 16, Warren County Coroner Doug Huskey told CNN.
In total, three females and four males numbered the dead.
A 2018 Volvo commercial passenger bus was traveling westbound on Interstate 20 near Bovina in Warren County around 12:40 a.m. when it overturned
Six passengers were pronounced deceased at the scene, and one died at Merit Health River Region in Vicksburg
At least 37 other passengers with unknown injuries were transported to different area hospitals.
Warren County Sheriff, Martin Pace, told WLBT, ‘Multiple injuries and multiple fatalities… it just compounds the tragedy.’
Warren County resident Magan Gonzalez told Vicksburg News there were several family groups on the bus.
‘People were trapped in the bus and trying to get out. One young couple was somehow out and walking around,’ said Gonzalez.
‘But I was trying to let the people who were trapped know help was on the way.’
She said the bus driver suffered a shoulder injury but refused treatment until everyone was off the bus.
At least 37 other passengers with unknown injuries were transported to different area hospitals
The Mississippi Highway Patrol and the Commercial Transportation Enforcement Division have opened an investigation into the crash
‘The driver was very upset that he couldn’t control the bus and felt responsible for the accident,’ said Gonzalez.
‘He kept blaming himself and didn’t understand why he wasn’t able to keep the bus on the road after the tire blew out.’
The Vicksburg Fire Department and Warren County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene, working over the course of two hours to rescue people trapped.
Interstate 20 remains close. Authorities have yet to disclose the names of the deceased.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol and the Commercial Transportation Enforcement Division have opened an investigation into the crash.