Eleven people were injured — some critically — when a charter bus carrying University of South Carolina students had a blowout Friday afternoon.

The charter bus transporting 59 occupants was involved in an accident en route to a formal event in New Orleans.

According to reports from the Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP), the incident left 11 individuals injured, including the driver who was ejected during the chaotic sequence of events.

Bay St. Louis Police Chief Toby Schwartz revealed that the students on board belonged to the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.

The accident reportedly occurred when a tire on the bus blew out, prompting the driver to rise in an attempt to maintain control of the vehicle. The bus reportedly began to lean and teeter on two wheels. Upon its return to all fours, the impact shattered the windshield, ejecting the driver from the bus.

However, amidst the confusion and panic, a quick-thinking student passenger took charge of the situation, seizing control of the bus and bringing it to a stop, potentially averting further catastrophe.

Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene. Nine injured individuals were transported via ambulance, while an additional two were airlifted to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.