Marines' buses crash on way to Norfolk

MAYSVILLE, N.C. (AP) - Authorities say three buses carrying Marines from Camp Lejeune crashed in North Carolina, injuring 13 Marines and one civilian.

Marine Corps Capt. Clark Carpenter said a bus driver was critically injured and air lifted to a hospital after the Thursday crash. He said none of the Marines was seriously injured, though two remain hospitalized.

Authorities say the wreck occurred just before 8:00 a.m. about 20 miles north of Camp Lejeune on U.S. Highway 17 near Maysville. Carpenter said investigators believe the third bus failed to stop for traffic and collided with the bus it was following.

The state Highway Patrol said the driver of the third bus, John Tipton of Enfield, was charged with failure to reduce speed.

The Marines were traveling to Norfolk to begin training exercises March 10 in advance of their deployments.