Atlanta area hospitals are bracing for the worst after a school bus carrying roughly 20 high school football players overturned on a busy Georgia highway.
A bus from Salem High School in Conyers, a suburb outside of Atlanta, flipped on Highway 138 and Old Salem Road in Rockdale County, Georgia State Patrol confirmed to the Daily Mail.
Authorities said the scene was still ‘very active.’ The crash unfolded just before 11pm EDT.
The bus was carrying 17 football players, seven trainers, two coaches and one driver. At least two medical helicopters were requested.
The crash’s extent is unknown and passengers have been transported to local hospitals, local NBC affiliate 11 Alive reported.
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Arthur M Blank Hospital has been notified of the crash and is on standby for the ‘possibility of a mass casualty event,’ according to Fox 5 Atlanta.
The Rockdale County School District confirmed in a statement to local news outlets that 27 people were involved in the crash.
At least 12 people suffered injuries, and one trainer was airlifted to a medical facility, while ambulances transported the rest.
A school bus was significantly damaged following a crash on a Georgia highway. Nearby hospitals told local news they were preparing for a ‘mass casualty event’
The crash prompted a massive emergency response presence. There were around 20 high schoolers on the bus
Football players at Salem High School in Conyers were on a bus with their coach and trainers when it overturned. There were multiple games throughout the greater Atlanta area on Friday night
Head coach Fredrick Green is working to find where his injured players were taken for treatment, Fox 5 reported.
Videos of the crash revealed a large emergency response, including firefighters and ambulances.
The bus sustained significant damage, and one side of the roof collapsed completely.
Footage from the scene showed the front of the bus smashed in, with broken windows.
First responders later turned the bus upright and remained on scene into the early hours of Saturday.
Fox 5 reported that officials appeared to be setting up a reunification site at a nearby parking lot for high schoolers and their families.
A massive emergency response was reported on Friday night. Multiple passengers have been taken to local hospitals
The crash shut down Georgia State Route 138, and travelers were advised to seek alternate routes.
Salem High School played an away game against Greater Atlanta Christian in Norcross at 7.30pm on Friday night. The schools are about a 50-minute drive apart and are in the greater Atlanta area.
Friday Night Football is a popular weekend activity across Georgia. Multiple high schools had games scheduled on Friday night.
