One dead, 30 hurt in S.C. bus crash

A tour bus driver had a brain aneurysm and drove off a South Carolina highway into some trees Monday, killing himself and injuring about 30 passengers, authorities said.

The aneurysm caused George William Thomas, 58, to veer off Interstate 26 around 1 a.m., Dorchester County Deputy Coroner Perida Moultrie said. Thomas died from injuries related to the crash near Ridgeville, about 25 miles northwest of Charleston, Moultrie said.

About 30 passengers heading from St. Stephen to Miami for a cruise were hurt, most with minor injuries, authorities said.

Marilyn Bassfield, a passenger, said everyone had just started watching a movie when the driver slumped over and the bus began drifting off the highway.

"They started yelling. Everybody went into a panic and all we could do is hold on for dear life," Bassfield said.

The bus bounced off several trees in the darkness before stopping, Bassfield said. People scrambled to find a way out, she said. Someone kicked open a window while others managed to get the bus door open, she said.

"I love the Lord. I am a Christian. But I'm not going to tell you I wasn't scared. I thought it could go either way," said Bassfield, who along with her husband suffered bruises.

Timmy Pierce, assistant manager for bus operator 5-Star Transportation out of Bonneau, declined to comment to The Associated Press. Co-owner Charlie Hill told WIS-TV in Columbia it was a freak accident.

The wreck happened on a rural stretch of the highway, and no other vehicles were involved, Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Robert Beres said. The wreck closed the highway for about four hours, but all lanes were open to traffic by 6 a.m., Beres said.

Eight months ago, Thomas was charged with careless driving in a commercial bus accident in Osceola County, Fla., according to Florida Highway Patrol documents. No one was injured and there were no passengers on the bus.

The charge was dismissed in June when a witness did not appear at a hearing, according to traffic court records.