Soldiers thankful to be alive after bus overturns in Iredell Co.

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — U.S. Army Reservists were just miles away from home after a training mission away from their families when a bus crash happened Friday afternoon.

Some of those soldiers had an emotional reunion with family members.

Hugs, smiles and even laughter overwhelmed Army Reservists at their final destination in Salisbury.

"It was horrible. It really happened in slow motion," said Reservist Bianca Johnson.

"There was panic. People didn't know what was going on," said Pvt. Justin Furr.

He said most of the soldiers on the bus were asleep when the bus braked hard, went into a tailspin and landed on its side in a ditch. An official with the Army said 45 Army Reserve soldiers from the 991st Transportation Company were on the bus. Fifteen soldiers were treated for minor injuries at the scene. Fourteen with more serious injuries were taken to local hospitals.

"People were just screaming and crying. All the windows shattered so there was broken glass and blood all over the glass," Furr said.

But on Highway 152 in IredellCounty, tragedy turned to triumph as Army Reserve soldiers inside second bus helped first responders rescue some of their own.

"There was only one patient that was pinned in the vehicle but they were helping to move the injured to safe locations," said Iredell County EMS Jason Little.

As Chopper 9 hovered over the bus accident, our camera caught images of relief: Soldiers hugging, crying, simply thankful. In Salisbury, Johnson was reunited with her loved ones.

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"I ain't going to complain. It was nothing but the grace of God," Johnson said.

Furr gave a big hug to his family as he was reunited with his mother, who said she too is thankful her son is home, but now has other plans for her soldier.

"We're ready to take him to eat and take him home and lock him in his room for a little while so he can't go anywhere," said a laughing Litta Furr.

Officials are relaying more good news. The soldier that was airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte has been released from the hospital.

Only one solider remains in the hospital Friday night but is said to be in stable condition. There were no fatalities.

WSOC