New Delhi, Oct. 6 -- A heavy presence of emergency responders rushed to the crash site in Winter Haven, south of Orlando, and 26 students were transported to a hospital, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. At least one person was in critical condition.

The crash left the bus upside-down on the side of the road. The front end was a mangled mess of metal and one of its four back tires appeared to be missing.

"It was a horrible crash," Judd said. "It was a terrible, tragic morning. We had a beautiful 10th grade girl lose her life."

The bus was headed to Winter Haven High School when an oncoming car crossed the center line and struck the side of the bus near the rear wheels, Judd said. The sheriff said the impact ripped the tire off the b...