MACCLESFIELD, N.C. (AP) – Elementary school students in eastern North Carolina are being treated for injuries after their school bus overturned when the driver said he swerved to avoid deer that ran in front of the bus during the morning commute.

Edgecombe County public schools spokeswoman Susan Hoke said Friday the bus was carrying 19 children when it overturned. She said she didn’t know how many students required treatment for their injuries or how badly they were hurt.

WITN reports Edgecombe County Sheriff James Knight as saying 15 students were injured. Knight says the bus driver told authorities he swerved to avoid deer that had run in front of the bus.

Hoke says the bus was on its way to G.W. Carver Elementary School in Pinetops when it rolled over.