Driver hurt, Whale Branch students late after morning bus accident

A Beaufort County School District driver was injured and more than 60 Whale Branch Early College High School students were late for class Thursday morning after the bus taking them to campus was struck by a dump truck.

No injuries were initially reported from the accident, which took place shortly after 8 a.m. on Carolina Avenue near Grays Hill, said Burton Fire District spokesman Dan Byrne. One unit was sent back about 20 minutes later, though, when the driver began complaining of discomfort.

The driver was transported to Beaufort Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Byrne said.

A second bus was dispatched to the accident scene to pick up the students, said school district spokesman Jim Foster. They arrived on campus a little more than 30 minutes after first bell.

This story was originally published January 5, 2017 at 10:16 AM with the headline "Driver hurt, Whale Branch students late after morning bus accident."