8 dead, at least 30 injured in Mississippi bus crash

Aug. 31 (UPI) -- At least eight people died and 30 others were injured when a charter bus overturned along Interstate 20 near Vicksburg, Miss., early Saturday, authorities said.

First responders from the Warren County, Miss., Sheriff's Office, Vicksburg Police Department, Mississippi Highway Patrol and the Vicksburg Fire Department provided aid as the American Medical Response transported more than 30 to local emergency rooms in Vicksburg and Jackson.

The westbound lane of I-20 was closed most of the overnight hours while first responders helped to free those who were trapped inside the wreckage.

"Tragically, seven individuals lost their lives at the scene and another passed away at the Merit Health emergency room," Vicksburg Fire Chief Derrick Stamps told reporters .

Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said none of the passengers were from Mississippi, but the names of the accidents of those who died has not been released.

"Multiple injuries and multiple fatalities ... just compounds the tragedy," Pace said told WLBT-TV .

The charter bus went off the side of the freeway between Vicksburg and Bovina near a weigh station. It turned onto its side, trapping its passengers.

The seven who died at the scene comprised four males and three females, including a pair of brothers, ages 6 and 16, according to Warren County Coroner Doug Husky.