1 dead, 21 injured after school bus carrying 35 students overturns on interstate

One person has died and 21 have been injured after a school bus carrying 35 students overturned on Interstate 77 in Chester County, South Carolina, according to officials.According to South Carolina Highway Patrol, at 1:45 p.m. Thursday, a 2021 Blue Bird school bus was traveling south on I-77 near mile marker 55 in Blackstock when a tire blew out. The bus then struck a guard rail and overturned.Due to the crash, both directions of I-77 were shut down. Northbound lanes reopened shortly after 4 p.m. Southbound lanes reopened sometime after 7:30 p.m.Lexington District 2 said that students were traveling home from a field trip in Charlotte when a tire blew out, causing the driver to lose control and the bus to overturn.According to the school's website, an eighth-grade field trip was scheduled for Thursday.The school district confirmed that the bus was carrying 35 students from Pine Ridge Middle School and three adults at the time of the crash. For the full statement from Lexington District 2, scroll down.After 7 p.m., Ed Darby with Chester County Emergency Management said the crash resulted in the death of a student and 21 people injured. At this time, we do not know how many of those who were injured were students.Earlier this afternoon, an official with Lancaster County said five people were transported to area hospitals in critical condition.Darby reported "a few" of the injuries were critical and that he had not received word of the exact number that are critical. The injured were triaged and transported to local area hospitals via ambulance or by medical helicopter. According to Darby, the students who were not injured in the crash have been reunited with their parents or guardians. South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the collision.The Chester County Coroner's Office has not released the name of the student who died at this time.Stay tuned with WYFF News 4 as we learn more.Early afternoon statement from Lexington District 2: "Early this afternoon, three buses carrying students from Pine Ridge Middle School were traveling home south on Interstate 77, following a field trip just outside Charlotte. A tire blew on one of the buses, causing an accident. The bus was carrying three adults and roughly 35 students."The two other buses traveling back on Interstate 77 were not involved."EMS is on the scene, along with other emergency responders, law enforcement agencies, and district/school personnel. EMS is assessing everyone on the scene, and some students are being transported for further evaluation."Previous coverage below:One person is dead after a school bus carrying 35 students overturned on Interstate 77 in Chester County, South Carolina, according to South Carolina Highway Patrol.Just after 3 p.m. Thursday, the Chester County Sheriff's Office asked people to avoid the area of I-77 southbound at mile marker 55 in Blackstock due to an overturned school bus. After 3 p.m., officials with Richburg Fire-Rescue said that both directions of I-77 were expected to be blocked for an extended period of time.As of 4:30 p.m., fire officials said the northbound lanes have reopened, but traffic is moving slowly. All southbound lanes remain closed.Lexington District 2 said that students were traveling home from a field trip in Charlotte when a tire blew out, causing the driver to lose control and the bus to overturn.An official with Lancaster County confirmed five people were transported to area hospitals in critical condition. At this time, we do not know how many of those who were injured were students.Shortly after 6 p.m., Highway Patrol said one person is dead following the crash. Again, we do not know if the deceased is a student at this time.South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the collision.Stay tuned with WYFF News 4 as we learn more.