The sun had scarcely risen over Warren County Saturday morning when local officials and residents alike began working to aid survivors of the deadly bus crash that claimed seven lives and injured 36 more just after midnight near Mile Marker 9 on Interstate 20.

Saturday morning, Warren County Board of Supervisors President Kelle Barfield said county officials, Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) and the Baptist Association were working together to provide aid to the passengers. Merit Health River Region hospital was converted into a “sequester location,” Barifield said, where passengers could receive food and have a place to stay while awaiting further instruction from officials.

Tuesday morning, Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said those efforts were ongoing more than three days after the accident.

“I haven’t left the hospital since Friday night,” Pace said. “We still have people in the hospital.”

As victims are being treated for their injuries, Pace said the community has come together to do what it can to help.

“We got in touch with the United Way (of West Central Mississippi) and they paid for prescription meds; got in touch with Good Shepherd Community Center. They got a car seat and brought it to me for a baby that needed a car seat. Had a family that didn’t have any place to go. I called a friend of mine that works for several properties that was able to comp rooms.”

In addition to supporting the victims’ needs for food, medicine and shelter, Pace said he is thankful for the volunteer help of translators. The 2018 Volvo bus was carrying a total of 43 people — 41 passengers and two drivers — from Atlanta to Dallas, many of whom spoke only Spanish.

“One of the biggest contributions the community came forward with was just all the Spanish speakers that came forward offering to be translators, because I don’t think many – if any – of the hospital staff spoke Spanish,” Pace said. “There’s just a big, whole story here about how everyone came together.”

Paul Patel, owner and managing partner of Southern Hospitality Services, LLC offered complimentary accommodations at Courtyard by Marriott to victims who were released from the hospital or uninjured,  but stranded. The complimentary rooms were available as crash victims awaited transportation out of town. Patel also arranged a free dinner at El Sombrero. Tuesday, hotel officials said those guests had been transferred to one of the hotel’s locations in Pearl. 

City and county officials also praised first responders for the work they did in the minutes and hours immediately following Saturday’s accident. 

Saturday morning, Vicksburg Fire Chief Derrick Stamps described the accident as “devastating” and said his officers, as well as deputies with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, officers with the Vicksburg Police Department, firefighters with the Warren County Fire Services and other agencies worked throughout the night to save as many lives as possible.

“Vicksburg fire, in partnership with American Medical Response (AMR), worked tirelessly to transport over 30 patients to the emergency room,” Stamps said.  

The accident blocked I-20 westbound for much of the early morning hours, as crews from multiple agencies worked to aid those injured and free passengers still trapped on the bus.

“Please continue to keep those families in your prayers,” Ward 1 Alderman T. J. Mayfield said during Tuesday’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting. “I’m so proud of the first responders. I have a greater level of respect for what you do. We greatly appreciate you.”