A dozen children hospitalized after church bus overturned in east Harris County, sheriff says

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A dozen children are hospitalized after a church bus overturned in east Harris County on Sunday, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

Deputies with the Harris County Sheriff's Office responded to a crash at an apartment complex at 90 Uvalde Road at about 12:26 p.m.

Upon arrival, Gonzalez said it was "very chaotic when units arrived." He said deputies had to mobilize quickly since some children were found partially out of the bus and in different places at the scene.

ABC13 spoke to a 15-year-old who was able to open the emergency exit that he said most escaped through.

"There were screams because there was a lot of blood," Austin said. "One girl's arm was through the window under the bus, and they had to lift the bus up to get her out."

According to HCSO, three adult passengers and 12 children were on board, ranging from ages 1 to 16.

"14 out of the 15 were transported to hospitals with possible but non-life-threatening injuries," Gonzalez tweeted. "The 15th passenger (33) was stable."

ABC13 confirmed the church bus came from Mount Zion Baptist Church on Uvalde.

According to Pastor Jared Zapata, their bus drivers are volunteers for the church who help pick up and drop off adults and kids at the church services.

Zapata says the driver who was behind the wheel is no longer allowed to drive for the church.

The 42-year-old driver allegedly failed to control speed while negotiating the curve causing the bus to roll on its right side, according to HCSO.

The driver has not been charged and showed no signs of intoxication, according to HCSO.

Although, some parents want the driver to be held accountable.

"There were a lot of young children, that is your priority," Daniel Byerley said. "If you are driving a bus full of children, that's your priority."

There were no other vehicles involved and the crash is still under investigation.

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