Overturned bus closes Highway 138 alerting hospital
A Rockdale County school bus overturned on Old Salem Road in Conyers Friday evening, closing Highway 138 near Interstate 20 and prompting an Atlanta children’s hospital to prepare for a mass casualty event.
ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA. – A Salem High School football team bus overturned in Conyers Friday night, leaving more than a dozen people injured and a massive emergency response.
The accident occurred after several high schools had finished their games.
Salem High School Bus Crash
What we know:
A Rockdale County school bus crashed along Highway 138 near Interstate 20 while transporting the Salem High School football team home. The district confirmed the bus was carrying 27 people when it overturned.
“A Salem High School bus carrying 17 players, 7 coaches, 2 trainers and 1 driver was involved in a crash on Highway 138 near I-20,” the Rockdale County School District said. The crash left the vehicle with a shattered windshield, heavy front-end damage and a partially collapsed roof.
At least 12 people on board were injured in the sinking. First responders airlifted a trainer to a medical facility, while ambulances transported other students and staff to various area hospitals.
Head coach Fredrick Green survived the accident and is doing well. He is currently working to locate where all affected team members were taken for treatment.
Rockdale County Investigation Details
What we don’t know:
Authorities have not confirmed the exact number of students injured in the accident. Investigators also have not revealed the cause of the late-night wreck.
Emergency crews flood the intersection near Salem Road and SR 138 south of Interstate 20 in Rockdale County after an overturned school bus sparked a large multi-agency rescue operation late Friday evening, October 23, 2026 (GDOT/Georgia 511).
The superintendent of the Rockdale County School District is aware of the situation. Officials said they plan to release more information as it becomes available.
Community and hospital response
Local perspective:
Arthur M. Blank Children’s Hospital Atlanta went on standby for a possible mass casualty event immediately after the crash. First responders cordoned off the corridor near Old Salem Road as a heavy tow truck hoisted the bus off an embankment.
Authorities used an adjacent commercial parking lot to accommodate secondary buses. This served as a reunification point where uninjured students could contact their families and return home safely.
The source : Information in this story was gathered from the Rockdale County School District, which released a statement regarding passenger numbers and hospital transports, as well as FOX 5 Atlanta reporter Hernan Gutierrez, who spoke directly with Salem High School football coach Fredrick Green. Additional details regarding the accident scene and emergency response were provided by previous reports from the scene. This article has been updated since its initial publication.
Gn usa
