School Trip Turns into Trip to Hospital After Charter Buses Collide in Durham County

Twenty three people, mostly students, were transported to UNC Hospitals and Durham Regional Hospital with minor injuries. Most have been treated and released.

Investigators say morning traffic along I-40 may be a factor in the accident.

"As one bus was coming to a stop,trying to avoid another vehicle in front of it, the second bus rear-ended the first bus," says Maj. Dwight Pettiford of the Durham Police Department.

The eighth grade students were on their way to the Governor's Mansion in Raleigh when the accident took place. Other buses were called to pick up the rest of the students and take them back to school. Their trip was cancelled.

Traffic in the eastbound lane of I-40 was backed up for about two hours due to the accident.

No word whether the bus driver will be charged in the accident.