Inmates remained after wreck to direct traffic and administer first aid

A bus carrying 50 inmates crashed into a semi in Arizona on Tuesday, injuring more than 20 people. The Department of Public Safety said all able-bodied inmates remained on-scene to direct traffic or administer first aid.

The crash happened on Interstate 8 between Casa Grande, Ariz., and Gila Bend, Phoenix-based ABC15 reported.

All lanes of the interstate were shut down for a few hours to clean up the mess and transport the injured. Two inmates and the driver of the bus were airlifted with serious injuries, according to ABC15. The driver of the semi was not injured, even though the collision split the rig in half.

All inmates who were not hospitalized have retued to prison. 

The truck was carrying herbicide.

Unbelievable how the driver of this semi made it out alive and without injuries @abc15 pic.twitter.com/VFuf6C9NgB — Nick Ciletti (@NickCiletti) August 11, 2015

Two inmates and driver of bus airlifted in serious condition after crash on I-8 WB. @abc15 pic.twitter.com/sqdSN3exyt — Nick Ciletti (@NickCiletti) August 11, 2015

The semi involved in the crash looks like it was split in half. @abc15 pic.twitter.com/JUCJSO6P5l — Nick Ciletti (@NickCiletti) August 11, 2015

#Breaking: I-8 closed Westbound between Gila Bend & Casa Grande due to prison bus crash. @NickCiletti en route. pic.twitter.com/1vsuPCd8jU — Tyson Milanovich (@TysonOnTV) August 11, 2015