At least two individuals were tragically killed and numerous others injured in a devastating collision involving a school bus carrying pre-K students in rural Texas on Friday. The incident took place in Bastrop County, along State Highway 21, approximately 50 miles east of Austin.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Deon Cockrell, the collision involved two other vehicles, including a cement truck. It remains unclear at this time whether the fatalities occurred among those aboard the bus or in the other vehicles involved.

The Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services Department (ATCEMS) reported that four of the injured were airlifted to hospitals, while three others were transported by ground ambulance to nearby healthcare facilities. The ATCEMS later confirmed that all individuals requiring medical attention had been transported to medical facilities.

The tragic incident occurred as the school bus from Tom Green Elementary was returning from a field trip to the Capital of Texas Zoo in Cedar Creek, situated about 22 miles southeast of Austin. The bus was carrying a total of 44 pre-K students and 11 adults at the time of the collision.

The Hays Consolidated Independent School District, to which Tom Green Elementary belongs, issued a statement acknowledging the serious accident and ensuring that parents of students on the bus had been directly notified. The district promptly dispatched counselors and other staff members to provide support at the accident scene and at a designated reunification point for parents.

U.S. Senator John Cornyn, representing Texas, expressed his deep sorrow over the tragedy and extended his prayers to the families of those who lost their lives. He took to social media platform X to convey his sentiments, stating, "I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear about the school bus accident in Bastrop County today."

Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area of the accident. As the investigation into the cause and circumstances of the collision continues, the community mourns the loss of lives and comes together to support the affected families and the school district during this difficult time.

Note: The article has been written using only the information provided and does not contain any additional details or speculative information.