NEW HANOVER COUNTY –– New Hanover County Schools is investigating an incident Thursday afternoon involving a school bus full of students, numerous sheriff’s vehicles and at least one ambulance.
According to officials from the school system and sheriff’s office, a severe fight broke out on the bus between students around 4:15 p.m. The driver pulled over near the Greyhound station on Cando Street and called 911.
“Deputies arrived to handle the situation and ultimately it was handled,” Josh Smith, NHCS chief communications officer, said.
No one was injured or transported to the hospital. Few additional details are known at this time.
A 6-minute livestream, captured by parent Amber Bragg, has the community begging for answers. In the video posted to Facebook, students are scattered on nearby sidewalks and a heavy law enforcement presence has flashing lights engaged. Bragg told Port City Daily her son jumped out of the emergency exit as the fight ensued and ran 0.2 miles to Costco, where he called her.
Smith said Friday morning NHCS was still investigating. The district has cameras on all its buses and is currently reviewing the footage; it will provide updates when available.
At 11:38 p.m., NHCS sent a press release that clarified parents arrived to pick up students and one parent boarded the bus to retrieve their child. Once the incident was cleared by law enforcement, the driver finished the route.
NHCS included the following statement: “Our transportation department transports approximately 11,000 students to and from 45 schools daily and we pride ourselves in doing so safely, and this incident is not representative of our safety record. New Hanover County Schools will be working collaboratively with local law enforcement investigating this matter to ensure our busses remain safe spaces for our students and drivers.”
This story has been updated with the latest information.
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