Church bus crashes in Atlanta area; 1 killed, others injured

SOUTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — UPDATE 8:17 p.m.

A church bus carrying dozens of high school students and adults from Alabama crashed near Atlanta on Thursday afternoon, killing one person and injuring several others, authorities said.

The Mount Zion Baptist Church bus from Huntsville, Alabama, was headed to the airport for a student ministry mission trip to Africa when it collided with another vehicle on a four-lane road, Fulton County Police Cpl. Partrena Smith said.

Smith said at least 10 people were hurt, including two critically. Fulton County Fire Chief Larry Few said 21 people were hurt.

The Associated Press couldn't immediately determine the discrepancy in the number of injuries.

Smith said there were two people in the car involved in the crash, but she wasn't sure of their conditions.

Images from the scene showed the bus on its roof and another car underneath it. The parkway where the crash occurred was completely closed and fire trucks and ambulances swarmed the area near Atlanta's airport.

Church education minister Terry Slay told WXIA-TV that the bus was carrying 11th- and 12th-graders, along with adults. The church asked people for prayers on its Facebook page.

Smith said the National Transportation Safety Board is handling the investigation moving forward.

UPDATE 5:25 p.m.

At least one person died and nearly two dozen others were injured in a crash involving a church bus and a car in south Fulton County in Atlanta, Georgia.

At least 21 people were treated on the scene and nine have been taken to the hospital. Two people are in critical condition.

A medical helicopter landed to airlift victims to hospitals but left without picking anyone up.

The church posted on its Facebook page about the crash.

"PRAY! One of the buses with the student ministry mission had an accident on the way to the Atlanta airport. Several serious injuries. Please pray for those injured and parents as they travel to Atlanta," the post said.

Story developments on WSB-TV in Atlanta

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(earlier)

Police are on the scene of a crash involving a church bus and a car in south Fulton County, Georgia.

Officials say the bus overturned and landed on the car, now the road is blocked.

WSB-TV reports dozens of emergency responders are on the scene and the road is shut down in both directions.

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The bus from Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama, was carrying a church youth group.

At least 21 people were treated on the scene and nine have been taken to the hospital.

A medical helicopter landed to airlift victims to hospitals but left without picking anyone up, according to WSB-TV.

Stay with WPXI.com and Channel 11 News for updates on this developing story.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group