NTSB Investigating Alabama Bus Crash That Killed 1, Injured 20

(Update) LOXLEY, AL — The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash of a charter bus in Alabama that killed the driver and injured about two dozen students and chaparones on Tuesday morning.

The accident happened just before 6 a.m. in the southern Alabama community of Loxley, east of Mobile.

The charter bus was traveling back to Houston with band students from Channelview ISD who'd visited Disney World, when Harry Caligone possibly lost control and ran the bus off an Interstate 10 bridge and plunged into a ravine about 50 feet below.

The bus was chartered through Housotn-base First Class Tours, which was transporting students and chaparones on two buses.

One of those buses is on the way back to Channelview.

First Class Tours issued a statement on the company's Facebook page:

Investigators said there were 40 students and six adults on the bus, KTRK reported.

The students were all members of the Channelview High School marching band in the Channelview Independent School District, near Pasadena.

Because the bus was in a ravine, helicopters were dispatched to the area to help rescue the injured.

Rescuers rappeled into the ravine and oulled the injured to safety, and flew many of them to as many as 10 different hospitals in Florida and Alabama, KPRC reported.

The crash blocked both westbound lanes of I-10 in Baldwin County, and law enforcment officials are asking motorist to avoid the area.

Channelview ISD released this statement:

"First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers go out to our students, employees and families that have been affected by this tragedy. As you are well aware, a charter bus carrying Channelview High School band students was involved in an accident returning from Florida early this morning. At this time, we have been able to confirm that 40 students and 6 adults from Channelview were on the bus at the time of the accident. We are aware of numerous injuries. We are now focused on getting everyone back safely to our community. We are extremely grateful for the first responders, hospital employees, and volunteers from churches and schools in Alabama and Florida that have stepped up to help our students and comfort them through this difficult situation. Those communities have opened their hearts and arms to our children and employees. They have provided resources, support, and a safe and welcoming environment while we work through the logistics of reuniting our families. We also want to thank our state and local officials who have all reached out to help us. Governor Abbott, Senator Sylvia Garcia, Commissioner Jack Morman, Representative Ana Hernandez, and Precinct 3 Constable Sherman Eagleton have all reached out to offer support and assistance. "

The extent of the injuries to students have not been released.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

This is a developing story

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