ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. — More than two dozen Rockdale County high school athletes and staff members were treated at hospitals, including one who was airlifted, after their school bus flipped onto its side while returning home from a football game.
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The crash happened shortly before 11 p.m. Friday along Highway 138 at Interstate 20 in Conyers. Some of the Salem High School football team, trainers and coaches were on board the bus and returning from their game against Greater Atlanta Christian School in Norcross. A statement from Rockdale County Public Schools said 22 Salem High School students and three staff members went to several area hospitals. The bus had 17 athletes, seven trainers, two coaches and the driver, the district said.
The Georgia State Patrol said the driver of the bus, 74-year-old Walter Hackett of Conyers, was exiting eastbound I-20 and attempting to make a right turn onto Highway 138 when he lost control of the bus. It traveled across both directions of Highway 138, hitting a Kia Soul before spinning completely around and overturning on the road’s shoulder, the GSP said. Hackett and the driver of the Kia, 35-year-old Calvin Harling of Covington, went to the hospital. One student was flown to a hospital on a Life Flight helicopter, but the student’s condition is unknown.
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Investigators have not said what caused the bus driver to lose control.
“We are deeply grateful that there were no fatalities and that many have been treated and released,” Rockdale County Public Schools Superintendent Stephanie Johnson said in a statement.
She said students and staff were treated at Arthur Blank Children’s Hospital, Scottish Rite, Grady Memorial, Piedmont Rockdale, Piedmont Walton and Piedmont Newton hospitals. A spokesperson for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta said one student was treated at Arthur Blank and two went to Scottish Rite in Sandy Springs. The school district and the GSP have not released details about the extent of injuries and conditions.
“We are still confirming the status of everyone and will update as soon as possible,” said schools spokesperson Cindy Ball.
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Some students were driven to hospitals by their parents while others went in ambulances, the GSP said.
“The cause of the accident remains under investigation,” Johnson said in her statement. “As our Salem family heals, we will continue to surround them with care and we ask our community to keep everyone involved in your thoughts throughout the recovery.”
A parent told Channel 2’s Bryan Mims that her son was on board the bus and treated and released from Arthur Blank Children’s Hospital. She told him by phone that her son woke up Saturday morning with a headache and confusion about where he was, so she took him back to the hospital.
Mims checked for an update before noon, but he did not hear back.
A little after 1:30 p.m., Ball sent the following update to Channel 2 Action News:
“Rockdale County Public Schools is providing an update on the students and adults involved in last night’s bus accident with members of the Salem High School football program.
As of this update, one student remains in the hospital. All other students, including the student who was airlifted from the scene, and all adults have been released.
Our thoughts remain with everyone affected. We are grateful to the first responders, medical professionals, and Salem and RCPS staff members who cared for our students and adults. To protect the privacy of our students and families, the district will not release names or additional medical information.
The accident remains under investigation. The district will share additional information as it becomes available."
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