Eight high school students hospitalized in horror school bus crash in North Carolina

Eight high school students have been hospitalized in a horror school bus crash in North Carolina Tuesday morning. 

A school bus carrying nine high school students, a bus driver, and a bus monitor was involved in the accident at approximately 7:30 am in eastern Burke County.

Initial reports suggest that a tire on the passenger side of the bus veered off the road, prompting the bus driver to overcorrect first to the left and then to the right.

The bus ultimately collided with a ditch, causing it to overturn, according to Highway Patrol officials.

The bus driver, identified as Carol Barnes of Lenoir, is facing charges of failure to maintain lane control, according to Highway Patrol. Investigations into the crash are ongoing at this time. 

All passengers sustained injuries to varying degrees, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

The bus driver was transported to a local medical center, while the bus monitor was airlifted to Charlotte for further treatment.

All students were either taken to local hospitals by their parents or by first responders.

Burke County Schools have confirmed that at least five individuals have been discharged from medical care as of now. The condition of the other is unknown at this time.

The students attend various schools within the Burke County Schools district, including East Burke High School, Jimmy C. Draughn High School, and Hallyburton Academy.