Local reports said the students aboard the bus ranged from elementary- to high school-age.
Both drivers were taken to Bacon County Hospital to treat their wounds, but Johnathon Grayer, 25, the truck driver, reportedly died shortly after arriving.
Grayer was driving the rental truck but hopped out after the collision, 360aproko News reported, to haul students out of the bus before collapsing.
“He must’ve been running on adrenaline, and his body gave out,” Georgia State Patrol officer Shane Copeland told 360aproko news.
Authorities said the bus was going between 50 and 60 mph when it crashed into the school bus, according to the News.
Gov. Brian Kemp said he and his family were praying for those involved.
“Terrible news out of Alma,” Gov. Brian Kemp tweeted Wednesday night after being informed of the crash.
At least two helicopters assisted with evacuating students to the hospital for treatment, as well.
“We’ve had other accidents and tragedies and things like that in the past, but this one… had you shaken the most out of all of them,” said Tyler Beach, a Bacon County Fire/EMS Compliance Officer.
“It was actually unbelievable for a population of 11,000 in Bacon County,” said Beach. “We couldn’t believe the support and all the resources that were available in a moment’s notice. I can’t say thank you enough to everyone who showed up and helped respond.”
A Georgia State Patrol team that specializes in reconstructing collisions is conducting an investigation, according to the statement emailed by public information officer Franka Young.
