Seven students had minor injuries following a bus accident in the Palestine area Thursday morning.

Stanly County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeff James confirmed students from North Stanly middle and high schools were taken to CHS-Stanly. The bus driver was also treated and released, James said.

“It appeared the driver may have run off the shoulder and tried to correct and hit a culvert,” James said.

Highway Patrol was dispatched to Palestine around shortly after 7 a.m.

Although he believes the bus is probably totaled, James referred The Stanly News & Press to Todd Bowers, director of maintenance, and Mike Lambert, director of transportation. They were not available for immediate comment.

“We’re lucky that we didn’t have any other injuries,” James said.

James said at least 17 students were on board Thursday morning.