BELL COUNTY, Ky. — A Bell County High School student died Tuesday night after a crash on Highway 25E. The Bell County Sheriff's Office said a pickup truck rear-ended a passenger car into a tractor-trailer. BCSD said the pickup truck also hit the trailer.
The Superintendent of the Bell County School District also said another student was injured in the crash. The full statement from Tom Gambrel, the Superintendent, is available below.
"We were deeply saddened to learn of the tragic accident that claimed the life of a Bell County High School student and severely injured another. As our school community processes the tragic news, we will have counselors and support services available for all our students and staff. We offer our sincere condolences and prayers to the families who are grieving. If you feel your student needs to speak with a counselor, please contact the guidance department or a school administrator."
According to a release, the crash was reported at around 11:09 p.m. in front of a hydraulic repair service in the Middlesboro area. Deputies responded along with crews from the Bell County Volunteer Fire Department and Kentucky State Police.
Authorities said one person died in the crash and three people were flown out by helicopter. People injured in the crash were taken to the Pineville Community Health Center.
The Kentucky State Police are investigating the crash. The identity of the person who died and the identities of the people injured were not immediately available. BCSD said the road was shut down into the early hours of Wednesday morning as authorities investigated the crash.
Additional information about the crash, including the circumstances surrounding it and whether any charges were pending from it, was not immediately available. This story will be updated when more information is available.