About 50 people are hurt after six school buses from Burke County crashed on their way to Six Flags in Newton County.
Georgia State Patrol spokesman Gordy Wright says the buses were traveling on I-20 westbound when the crash happened near Social Circle Saturday morning.
“As the buses slowed, one bus struck the rear of another, setting off a chain-reaction crash. The passenger car was the last vehicle in the line and struck the rear of the sixth bus," said Wright.
Many of the injured are students from Burke County Middle School in Waynesboro. Burke County borders the South Carolina state line. Lt. Tyrone Oliver with the Newton County Sheriff's Office told Channel 2 Action News that 50 kids were treated for minor injuries. About 200 kids from the school were headed to the amusement park.
"One of the buses slammed on the brakes and went over and we tried to dodge away from it, but we couldn't," said student Tyler McGlohorn.
One bus driver was airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital. Authorities say Angela Anthony, 44, of Midville had to be cut from the wreckage, but her injuries were also described as not life-threatening.
Emergency personnel from Newton and Morgan counties, the State Patrol and the cities of Covington and Social Circle responded. Morgan County sent several buses to the scene to help transport uninjured children.
The westbound lanes of I-20 were closed at exit 98. Drivers are advised to use Highway 278 as an alternate route.