A school bus operated by Douglas Byrd High School was traveling through Leland on the morning of Tuesday, May 28, when it collided with another vehicle at the intersection of U.S. Route 17 and the combined U.S. 74/76 corridor. The bus, which was returning from a football scrimmage against South Brunswick High School, carried 33 occupants, including 26 students and seven adults.
Medical response and hospital transport
The impact left two adults and two children with injuries, though none were reported to be life‑threatening. Emergency responders arrived shortly after the 11:35 a.m. call and extricated the passengers before transporting everyone to a nearby medical facility for evaluation.
School district involvement
Cumberland County Schools confirmed that the bus was part of its transportation fleet and that the incident involved students and staff from Douglas Byrd High School. The district has pledged to cooperate fully with investigators and to support families affected by the crash.
Local authorities are examining whether mechanical failure, driver error, or road conditions contributed to the collision. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has been notified, and a detailed accident report is expected in the coming weeks.
While the investigation continues, the incident underscores the risks associated with school transportation and the importance of rigorous safety protocols on and off the field.