A Lauderdale County School District bus was involved in an accident early Wednesday morning on Highway 19 North.

While the bus was stopping to pick up children at 7:15 a.m., a northbound Ford F-150 hit the bus from behind, Mississippi Highway Patrol Sgt. Andy West said.

The bus was carrying students to West Lauderdale middle and high schools, according to the school district.

There were 36 students on the bus and three were taken to Anderson Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries, West said. West couldn’t confirm if the students have been released from the hospital. 

“We are just thankful that it wasn’t any worse,” Larry Vick, transportation director for Lauderdale County schools, said. “You can always replace a bus or car, but not people. We are just thankful.”

The driver of the vehicle was not injured and police are still investigating the cause of the accident, West said.