2 Children Dead, Multiple Others Injured in Bus Crash During Middle School Field Trip

The tragedy occurred in Tennessee on March 27

Injured victims being treated after multi-vehicle crash in Carroll County, Tenn., on March 27.Credit : WBBJ-TV via AP

NEED TO KNOW

Two childre

NEED TO KNOW

Two children died and multiple others were injured in a bus crash in Tennessee on March 27
The tragedy occurred during a middle school field trip
“We continue to pray for the students and employees injured and everyone who was affected by today’s accident,” the school district said

Two children died and multiple others were injured in a bus crash that took place during a middle school field trip in Tennessee.

At around 12 p.m. local time on Friday, March 27, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) responded to a “serious” crash involving a Montgomery County school bus, a Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) dump truck and a passenger vehicle on Highway 70 in Carroll County, the THP said in a news release.

The two kids killed were students at the Kenwood Middle School, the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS) confirmed on Facebook. Their names and ages have not been made public.

“The school bus was transporting students on a field trip. Tragically, two students on the bus were killed,” said the THP. “Several others were injured, with multiple airlifted to trauma centers in Nashville and Memphis.”

The cause of the crash is currently being investigated. “We are working to gather all facts before releasing additional details,” the THP said.

An ambulance helicopter tranpsorts an injured victim after the March 27 bus crash in Carroll County, Tenn.WBBJ-TV via AP

THP Major Travis Plotzer confirmed at a press conference on March 27 that five adults and more than 20 students were on board the school bus when the crash occurred.

He added that two adults were in the TDOT truck, and one person was in the passenger vehicle, per WSMV 4 Nashville.

The identities of the others involved in the tragedy have also not been made public.

“Our hearts are with the families impacted by this devastating loss. This is every parent’s worst nightmare, and it has shaken our close communities,” a spokesperson for the THP said in a statement to PEOPLE. “We are grateful to the first responders, EMS, and flight crews whose quick actions helped save lives.”

According to the CMCSS, the students and staff from Kenwood Middle School were traveling on a field trip to the GreenpowerUSA event in Jackson,  Tenn., when the crash happened.

The school district said, “Our hearts are shattered at the tragic loss of two young lives.”

“We continue to pray for the students and employees injured and everyone who was affected by today’s accident,” the CMCSS added. “The Kenwood Middle co

Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden said in a statement on Facebook, “My family and I are grieving alongside the families, friends, and staff of Kenwood Middle School.”

“This tragedy has shaken our community, and there are no words that can truly ease the pain of such an unimaginable loss,” he added.

“We are keeping every family, student, educator, and first responders in our prayers — asking for comfort, strength, and peace in the days ahead,” Golden continued. “To the Kenwood community, we stand with you.”

PEOPLE has reached out to the MCSO for further comment.

mmunity will need our continued support, and we will share opportunities to assist families as details are confirmed.”

Tennessee Highway Patrol Major Travis Poltzer.Tennessee Highway Patrol/Facebook

The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and several other law enforcement and emergency medical teams also responded to the crash, Major Plotzer said during the news conference.

Nine air ambulance helicopters transported those injured to local hospitals. According to WSMV 4 Nashville, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Carroll County treated 19 patients injured, and four pediatric patients were also treated at Monroe Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville.

A spokesperson for Vanderbilt Health confirmed to the outlet that those at the medical facility who were injured are all in stable condition.