The identification of the men killed was being withheld by authorities pending notification of next of kin.

The accident happened about 3 p.m. on Nix Bridge Road near its intersection with Lula Garrett Road, when a red Volkswagen collided with a Dawson County school bus, according to the Georgia State Patrol.

The passenger in the Volkswagen was killed at the scene, Dawson County Coroner Ted Bearden said. The driver was airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital, Dawson County Emergency Services Public Information Officer Cathy Brooks said. Dawson EMS officials confirmed Friday evening that he later died.

Dawson County Schools Superintendent Nicky Gilleland said 18 children from nearby Kilough Elementary were on the bus at the time of the wreck. One child was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center with what were described as minor injuries, Brooks said.

Gilleland called the fatal wreck "everybody’s worst
nightmare."

"We’re grateful the children on the bus were OK and safe, and our prayers go out to those in the car," Gilleland said. "We know this is going to be real hard for the family."

Gilleland said the students were picked up by another school bus and taken to Kilough Elementary, where their family members would pick them up.

Staff will be available at the school on Monday to help counsel students "who probably saw more than they needed to," Gilleland said.

The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the cause of the wreck.