The aftermath of the bus crash on Interstate 10 in Mississippi earlier this week.Photo:Mississippi Highway Patrol/Facebook
Mississippi Highway Patrol/Facebook
A college student who helped fellow students narrowly avoid significant injuries during a severe bus crash is being hailed as a hero.
On Friday, April 5, a group of University of South Carolina students were making a nine-hour journey to a fraternity formal in New Orleans when the accident occurred at around 3 p.m. on Interstate 10 in Hancock County, Miss.,CNNreported.
The bus then came back down onto all four wheels, which caused an impact that shattered the windshield and ejected the driver from the vehicle, before the fast-acting student jumped up, grabbed hold of the steering wheel and brought the bus to a stop, the outlet reported.
Images of the I-10 bus crash.Mississippi Highway Patrol/Facebook
“According to what students said, she stood on that steering wheel with every ounce of energy to keep that steering wheel straight,” Schwartz told the outlet, recalling the driver’s actions.
The accident scene.Mississippi Highway Patrol/Facebook
“MHP Troop K extends its sincere gratitude to all the agencies who collaborated at the scene of the Charter Bus Crash on Interstate 10 in Hancock County,” the patrol unit wrote in the statement. “Your swift response and cooperation are deeply appreciated and are a true testament to your dedication to public service.”
Schwartz described the student’s actions in stopping the bus as “heroic” to WLOX.
“Because of the bus driver’s quick actions, and then the student’s quick actions, right now we don’t have any fatalities,” he added.
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The University of South Carolina later released a statement about the crash to WLOX, saying they were working with authorities to assist the students.
“The University of South Carolina was informed [Friday night] of an accident in Mississippi involving a charter bus carrying USC fraternity members and their guests traveling to an event in New Orleans,” the university said.
source: people.com
