‘All of South Carolina is with you.’ Lexington 2 student killed in I-77 bus accident identified as 8th-grader

South Carolina’s Chester County Coroner Terry Tinker confirmed the individual who died in Thursday’s I-77 school bus accident was an eighth-grade Pine Ridge Middle School student, but said the parents do not want the name released, so the Chronicle will not publish the name at this time.

Lexington County School District Two confirmed Friday morning that there was a fatality, also stating that no additional information will be released about the student.

“Many individuals have inquired about making financial donations to the Pine Ridge Middle School community,” the latest Lexington Two statement read. “The district has set up a way of doing this.”

To donate, visit: https://swipesimple.com/links/lnk_e4f981727655ca9b319c3358b9b46ffb.

Three buses from Lexington County’s Pine Ridge Middle School were on the way home from a Charlotte-area field trip on Thursday, April 17, when a tire blew on one of the buses, causing an accident. That bus had three adults and “roughly 35 students,” according to the first statement the district gave the media. “EMS is assessing everyone on the scene, and some students are being transported for further evaluation.”

The other two buses were not involved, but did have to swerve.

“EMS, other emergency responders, and law enforcement from a number of area agencies responded to the site, near mile marker 55, along with school and district personnel,” the second statement from the school district to the media read. “EMS assessed everyone on the buses. Early reports show an estimated 35 students and four adults transported for further medical evaluation, including a few from the two other buses that maneuvered to avoid the accident.”

People on the bus cleared by responding EMS were transported to a reunification site by Exit 48.

The Chester County Coroner said the student died of blunt force trauma at the scene of the accident.

“Today’s school bus accident in Chester County is a tragedy no family should ever have to endure,” Gov. Henry McMaster said in a statement on social media on Thursday. “Peggy and I are heartbroken. Please join us in praying for the victim, their family, a speedy recovery for those injured, and the entire Lexington Two community. All of South Carolina is with you.”