Crash claims local victim
Two others killed, 31 injured when vehicle overturned on way to airport
WMC-TV Memphis, Tenn.
The bus was one of two en route to the Tunica, Miss., airport and was carrying passengers scheduled for a flight to Charleston.
Mike Brown/The Commercial Appeal
Investigators examine a bus that crashed Sunday morning on U.S. Highway 61 near Tunica, Miss. Three people were killed and 31 were injured. The bus belonged to Harrah's Tunica and was carrying 43 people when it flipped over in a median at an intersection.
A Charleston County resident was among three people killed when a bus carrying tourists from South Carolina overturned Sunday morning near Tunica in northwestern Mississippi.
The Harrah's Casino bus, carrying 43 including the driver, was one of two traveling from the casino to the Tunica airport. The second bus continued to the airport, where a charter plane took the passengers on their scheduled flight to Charleston.
Charleston County Deputy Coroner Kelly Myers said she notified the deceased's family Sunday evening but declined to release the name until today. Authorities have not said where the other two victims were from.
The wreck occurred at 10:16 a.m. Central Standard Time at the intersection of U.S. Highway 61 and Casino Strip Boulevard near Tunica, Miss., according to the Mississippi Highway Patrol. The bus, which flipped over in the median, was the only vehicle involved.
The roof of the bus partially collapsed in the rollover. Its windows were knocked out, and the sides were caked in mud. Mississippi Highway Patrol Sgt. Leslie White said it was raining at the time, but he would not speculate on whether that contributed to the crash.
Larry Liddell, Tunica County spokesman, said most of the passengers were from South Carolina.
Twenty-seven injured people were taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital in Southaven, Public Relations Coordinator Thomas Whitehead said.
One person was in critical condition and five were being held for observation. The rest had minor injuries.
One patient was in critical condition and another in serious condition Sunday night at Regional Medical Center in Memphis, Tenn., about 35 miles to the north, spokeswoman Sandy Snell said.
The passengers were in Mississippi on a promotional trip offered by the casino, Patrick Collins, Harrah's public relations manager said.
Liddell said the passengers aboard the other bus made it to their flight. The plane arrived around 4:30 p.m., airline officials in Charleston said.
A spokesperson at Harrah's Casino said family members should call 1-800-946-4946 for information about people involved in the accident.
Harrah's Entertainment operates 50 casinos worldwide, including three in Tunica.
The area along the Mississippi River in the northwest corner of the state is best known for its bustling casinos.
'At this time, we're focusing on the health and welfare of the guests involved in this tragic accident,' company officials said in a statement.
For additional news and videos click to WMC-TV Memphis News 5
Video provided by WMC-TV Memphis News 5
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Reach Andy Paras at aparas@postandcourier.com or 745-5891.
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Comments
03uscalumni (anonymous) says...
My mother was on this trip, and thankfully she was on another one of the buses. My heart goes out to the families that have lost a loved one in such a tragic way.
August 11, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MissPriss (anonymous) says...
What the heck did susansweetbaby say that had to be removed?
Now I'm curious.
Thoughts and prayers are with the family.
August 11, 2008 at 8:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
MissPriss, I'm curious also. This is a very tragic accident, so I can't even begin to imagine why someone would make a comment that would be removed.
I hope all of the injured make full recoveries, and my prayers go out to families of those who were killed.
August 11, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MissVAbch (anonymous) says...
My mom was also with this group. There were two buses and 3 limo's. My mom and a friend decided to take a limo. I am so thankful she was not on that bus. Some friends of hers were on that bus, and we are awaiting a release of names.
August 11, 2008 at 10:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
That probably explains that hour of the posting.
That's also really cheesy of someone to post something like that on an article about a tragedy.
MissVAbch, I sure hope your mother gets good news about her friends.
August 11, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
n4dhs (anonymous) says...
If anyone finds out what exactly that woman said for her comment to be removed email us.....but she should know better than to say something inappropriate at any time here but especially when its something awful like this - BTW there were also TWO other bus accidents yesterday one in Las Vegas and one in Texas so something is not right here....
August 11, 2008 at 11:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MissVAbch (anonymous) says...
We did get good news. I'm sad for the ones that get the bad news.
August 11, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
n4dhs (anonymous) says...
I am very glad to hear that Miss - I wish everyone could have got good news....
August 11, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Dreamer728 (anonymous) says...
It made me really sad to here about the crash yesterday. Most of those people are from here! Then today I found out a close friend of the family was on this bus. I was thankful to hear my friend is stable, she has broken ribs and her back is broke in 2 places. It could have been much worse, I thank god she is still with us. She is one of the strongest women I will ever meet. Every time I see her she gives me a little more wisdom. My heart goes out to the family of the people who past away due to this crash. I am praying for the others who are still in the hospital, and also all the families that are dealing with this. I think this makes everybody see how often we take life for granted. We are never promised tomorrow; we must live life to the fullest and enjoy the good with the bad. I hope these families can find peace. My god give you all the strengh you will need in this time of sorrow
August 11, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
katrenavantassle (anonymous) says...
What was the victim from Charleston's name? The article said the coronor tried to contact the deceased family and decided to release the names today...but I didnt see it in the article. My co-worker thinks he went to school with her.
So sad this loss of life...at the hands of another driver...who may or may not be at fault...time will tell.
My condolences to the family.
August 11, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Dreamer728 (anonymous) says...
I got this from a paper in columbia
Glenda Stone, 53, of Goose Creek, was killed in the crash Sunday morning along with two other South Carolina women: Charlotte Carros, 63, of Eutawville, and Paula Kemp, 53, of Mount Pleasant, said Mississippi Highway Patrol Sgt. Leslie White.
August 11, 2008 at 3:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
This is such a tragic story.A lot of the times in these bus crashes the driver and or company is at fault.Either the driver falls asleep or the bus was poorly maintained and/or unlicensed.My condolences go out to all of the families.And to those of you who had close calls and things turned out ok,I'm so happy for you.
August 11, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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