Officials: 5 students hurt, 1 seriously in school bus anti-freeze leak

MATTHEWS — A hose connected to the engine of a school bus burst, spraying scalding antifreeze on students.

The incident left five students in need of medical treatment and many more with small burns and soaked book bags.

Logan Stewart and his sister Monica were on their way home from school when antifreeze spewed into the front of bus 302.

CHOPPER 9 IMAGES: Scene of school bus mechanical issue

"It looked like smoke from a haunted house and it smelled really bad, I felt like it was stinging," Logan Stewart said.

Logan was sitting beside his sister's best friend, who he says was covered in a clear oil-like substance.

"She was screaming, she said she couldn't breathe," he explained.

Authorities confirm one student was rushed to the hospital after the radiator exploded, forcing the driver to pull over and students to evacuate. Parents rushed to the intersection of Mount Harmony Church and Stevens Mill Road.

"All of these kids were laid out in the ditch and she said some of them were jumping at the windows trying to get out of the bus," said Logan's mother, Michelle Stewart.

Many found their kids were shielded by their backpacks.

"One backpack was soaked and one was a little bit wet so if he hadn't been wearing a backpack wherever it was he would have gotten sprayed too," Greg Windeknecht said.

While some had small burns, they're all thinking of their classmate recovering in the hospital.
 
"Worst experience of my life," Monica Stewart added. 

Friends tell us they've been in touch with the family of the student recovering at Carolinas Medical Center. They say she could be in the hospital for a week but is expected to be OK.

WSOC