Bus Overturns on Highway Ramp in Leland
A school bus transporting members of the Douglas Byrd High School football team overturned on a ramp from Highway 17 to Highway 74 in Leland around 11:30 a.m. on July 8. The vehicle was carrying the team home from an event at South Brunswick High School.
Thirty‑three people were aboard the bus, including 26 students. Four occupants were injured and taken to a hospital by ambulance, while the remaining passengers were transferred to a mass evacuation bus provided by Brunswick County.
Officials confirmed that none of the injuries were life‑threatening and that all of those involved were expected to survive. The injured were evaluated by medical personnel before being transported.
Cumberland County Schools issued a statement saying the district was coordinating additional transportation to bring the students back home safely and that they were being monitored by medical staff.
Investigation Underway
Leland police have opened an investigation to determine why the bus left the roadway. The crash occurred roughly two hours from the team's home campus in Cumberland County, prompting questions about safety protocols for school‑run vehicles.
The incident has reignited discussions about the need for stricter oversight of student transportation, especially for athletic teams traveling to off‑site events.