Tragedy on School Trip: 13-Year-Old Student Dies After South Carolina Bus Overturns #19

• A school bus carrying students to Pine Ridge Middle School in South Carolina overturned on April 17, killing one person
• Chester County Coroner Terry Tinker identified the deceased as Jose Marie Gonzales Linares, 13, a student from the middle school
• The deadly accident is being investigated by the South Carolina Highway Patrol

Authorities have released the name of the 13-year-old boy who died after a school bus overturned on a South Carolina highway.

The victim was identified as Jose Marie Gonzales Linares, said Chester County Coroner Terry Tinker on Friday, April 18, reported CBS affiliate WLTX, CBS affiliate WBTV and The State.

Tinker said Linares died of blunt force trauma at the scene and that first responders located him in the bus’ rear, The State reported.

On Thursday, April 17, a school bus carrying around 35 students, including Linares, and two adults was returning from a field trip outside Charlotte, N.C., to Pine Ridge Middle School, when a tire blew off in Chester County, ABC News and CW affiliate WRDW earlier reported.

School bus (stock image)

The Chester County Sheriff’s Office told the outlets they received reports of the crash at around 1:47 p.m., local time.

The bus was traveling southbound on I-77 when it “traveled off of the road to the right, struck a guard rail and overturned,” said South Carolina Highway Patrol Sgt. Tyler Tidwell, reported ABC News.

The Chester County Sheriff’s Office said the bus was among three Lexington County School District 2 buses traveling from the field trip. Officials said the other two buses were not affected, according to ABC affiliate WOLO.

Multiple news outlets reported the number of people taken to the hospital ranged from 11 to over 30. Five were reported to be in critical condition.

In a statement to parents, WLTX reported, the Lexington County School District 2 said that Pine Ridge Middle School would be open on Friday for those who need counseling. Support will be also available when students return from spring break on April 28.

“I would be remiss if I did not thank the countless people who have reached out throughout the afternoon from here in the district, around Lexington County and Columbia, and around the state – truly, more people than we can list here,” said Superintendent Brenda Hafner in the statement, reported WLTX. “Even at this most painful time, it is a source of comfort to know that we live in a community and state where people look out for each other.”

A representative from the Chester County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to PEOPLE in a Friday email that the traffic accident is being investigated by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said in a statement that the accident “is a tragedy no family should ever have to endure.”

A vigil was held on Thursday at Pine Ridge Middle School, ABC affiliate WSOC reported.

“We’re all in pain,” Debbie McDonald, a former teacher, told the outlet. “From the first person that saw the accident, to the last person that had to clean up the scraps on the highway. Everybody is hurting with this.”

PEOPLE contacted the Chester County Coroner’s Office and the Lexington County School District 2 for comment on April 18.