A bus crash in Maryland has resulted in at least one death, with as many as 23 others injured, some seriously. The incident happened shortly after 6 a.m. on May 5 on Interstate 95, according to a press release by Maryland State Police.
Officers from the JFK Memorial Highway Barrack were called to the scene after reports of a single-vehicle bus crash in Harford County, which is located just over 30 miles north of Baltimore. Several other fire departments, EMS crews, and the Maryland Transportation Authority were on the scene.
The investigation to date has revealed that the bus was traveling northbound on I-95. The bus, which was carrying two dozen people, apparently lost control before striking a guardrail.
Following the arrival of first responders, one of the passengers was pronounced dead at the scene. Multiple other passengers sustained injuries and were transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, with some reportedly in serious condition.
Mass Casualty Incident
According to a social media post from Abingdon Fire Company, which responded to the 911 call, multiple patients were identified quickly, “with one occupant succumbing to their injuries and being pronounced deceased on the scene.”
According to the post, the first units to arrive recorded multiple patients within an approximately 1/2-mile stretch of highway.
“A commercial paramedic ambulance … arrived first on scene, along with an off-duty DC Fire and EMS paramedic, and declared a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) having approximately 25 patients,” the post reads. Additional transport units were requested, and an incident command center with medical personnel began to assess the severity of the injuries.
With the total number of occupants involved uncertain, fire-suppression crews began to canvas the woodline along the highway by means of thermal imaging cameras, according to Abingdon Fire Company.
An investigation into what caused the tragic incident is currently underway, and is being led by Maryland State Police. Due to the ongoing investigation, all northbound lanes of I-95 at mile marker 77 remained closed after the incident. Motorists were advised to use alternate travel routes for the duration of the investigation.
The investigation is being led by the Maryland State Police Crash Team, with the assistance of troopers from the Bel Air Barrack, as well as officers from the Maryland Transportation Authority Police and deputies from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office.
Additional assistance is being provided by personnel from the MDOT State Highway Administration.
Party Bus
A photo of the vehicle shared on social media by Joppa Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company appears to show a bus emblazoned with the logo of Just Becuz Entertainment. According to the company’s Facebook page, Just Becuz Entertainment operates a party bus that can be rented for bachelor and bachelorette parties, pub crawls, and trips from Philadelphia to locations such as New York, Atlantic City, and Washington. A logo on the rear of the bus states: “Drive safe all day!”