Lee County School District releases statement after school bus collides with gas tanker

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LEE COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO)– Lee County School District has released a statement after a school bus collided with a gas tanker on Thursday afternoon.

School officials say a school bus transporting students from Lee Central Middle School and Lee Central High School was involved in a traffic accident on Tuesday, August 14, with a gas tanker truck.

Preliminary findings indicate that there were no serious injuries resulting from the accident, according to the school district.

As a precaution according to the district, seven students and two staff members were taken to Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center in Hartsville, South Carolina for evaluation and treatment of minor injuries.

The remaining students were taken back to Lee Central High School, where they were reunited with their parents and guardians.

“Our priority is always the safety and well-being of our students. We are grateful that no serious injuries occurred and deeply appreciate the swift actions of first responders,
school staff, and transportation personnel who ensured our students received immediate care and support,” says Bernard McDaniel, Sr., Superintendent.

The district is cooperating with law enforcement as the investigation into the collison continues.

Additional counseling and support services will be available to any student or staff member who may need them in the days ahead.

Original Story (Posted: Aug. 14, 2025):

LEE COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO)– Students were taken to the hospital after a school bus collided with a gas tanker Thursday afternoon.

Lee County Sheriff Daniel Simon says the accident happened on the 1300 block of Sumter Highway in front of the Pilot gas station.
The sheriff says there were more than thirty students on the bus at the time.
He adds that there was no gas in the tanker at the time.
The sheriff says the highway patrol is investigating.