SAN ANTONIO – A charter bus accident Saturday morning in rural northern Webb County left eight people dead and more than 40 injured.
The accident occurred along a stretch of Highway 83, just south of the Webb/Dimmit county line.
The bus was en route to Eagle Pass from San Juan, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley when the driver lost control, causing the bus to rollover.
Seven people died at the scene and another person died at the hospital, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Service said. Investigators confirmed 22 people were taken to Laredo Medical Center and seven others were taken to a hospital in Dimmit County. The extent of their injuries was not known.
There were 51 people on the bus, including the driver.
Late Saturday evening, Gov. Greg Abbott issued the following statement:
“Cecilia and I extend our deepest condolences to those affected by the tragic accident in South Texas today. I ask the entire state of Texas to keep the families of loved ones lost today, as well as the Dimmit County community, in its thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
The northbound lanes of the highway were closed for several hours and reopened around 5:30 p.m.
No other vehicles were involved.
The cause of the accident has not been determined, but it was raining at the time.