A traffic crash Wednesday morning involving an Aiken County special needs school bus and a tractor-trailer has resulted in the death of a 4-year-old, according to Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton.
Kyrie C. Henry, of Aiken was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision, Carlton said. Kyrie was a preschool student at Greendale Elementary School.
One other student and the bus driver were transported to area hospitals, Carlton said.
The bus driver, Barbara Moore, 51, has minor injuries but the student's condition is unknown at this time, according to S.C. Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Judd Jones. The driver of the tractor-trailer, James Gillette, 44, was not injured, Jones said.
Eight students were on the bus at the time of the collision.
At the scene, responding law enforcement solemnly and silently performed their duties while clearing the wreck Wednesday.
A portion of the road was shut down for about four hours, and traffic was diverted as crews cleared the scene of the collision.
The incident was reported at 6:49 a.m. on Beech Island Avenue at Scarborough Drive near the Second Baptist Church in Beech Island.
The school bus was traveling north on Beech Island Avenue when it crossed the center line and struck an oncoming 1997 Freightliner Semi Truck, Carlton said.
The collision site was on a sharp curve on the roadway, and the curve has been a site of multiple wrecks, according to Second Baptist Church employees.
The school bus had considerable damage to the front and driver's side, while the tractor-trailer sustained some damage.
Kyrie was in a regular seat that had a seat belt upon Carlton's arrival, he said, but it was not clear whether it was used by Kyrie at the time of the crash.
"We are in the process of getting their (EMS) reports and will be getting statements later this week," Carlton said.
According to a statement by the school district, "family members of the fatally injured student, as well as the student transported for medical care, have been notified," "Counselors are being mobilized and will be on site at schools impacted by this accident. As additional details are available, we will update this information immediately."
The incident is being investigated by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
"This is a very sad incident, and our hearts go out to the families that were involved and, especially, to Kyrie's family in their loss," Carlton said.