TEXAS CITY, Texas – The Galveston County Sheriff's Office said a girl jumped out of a moving school bus Monday.
Officials said it happened while the bus was traveling south on Interstate 45 South between 3:30 and 4 p.m. An alarm sounded when the girl tried to make the jump.
"The emergency back door on the bus, she opened it and jumped out," Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset said.
The bus was going about 55 mph at the time and the student landed on the concrete.
"Several individuals had to stop and swerve around to prevent from striking her," Trochesset said "We received numerous calls from people about the incident."
The girl was taken to the University of Texas Medical Branch.She is in critical condition. Officials said she has serious head trauma.
It appears the student had been arguing with another student right before the incident and the bus driver intervened.
"The bus driver pulled out, separated the two young ladies," Trochesset said."One in the front of the bus and one in the back of the bus. He continued toward Galveston."
Investigators said it appears the student jumped intentionally and the incident remains under investigation.
The Galveston Independent School District released a statement that read, in part:
"At approximately 3:45 p.m. this afternoon, Galveston ISD was notified of a bus incident on Interstate 45 while traveling inbound to Galveston. Six students were on the bus. Three students were released to their parents at the scene. Two were transported home. One student was transported to the hospital. The student's family has been notified. The Galveston County Sheriff's Office is the lead agency in this investigation assisted by the Texas Department of Public Safety."