At least 13 killed, 31 injured in California tour bus crash

The injured were being treated at local hospitals, while all westbound lanes of interstate were closed near the crash


Reuters October 23, 2016
Workers cut away debris from the front of a bus involved in a mass casualty crash on the westbound Interstate 10 freeway near Palm Springs, California October 23, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA: A tour bus crashed into the back of a tractor-trailer on a Southern California highway before dawn on Sunday, killing at least 13 people and injuring 31, authorities said.

The bus was traveling west on Interstate 10 when the crash occurred near Palm Springs, a city about 100 miles (160 km) east of Los Angeles, California Highway Patrol (CHP) Chief Jim Abele told reporters.

At least 55 people killed, nearly 600 injured in Cameroon train wreck

Abele said because of the bus' speed, the truck's trailer pushed about 15 feet into the bus. The bus driver was among the 13 killed, he said. The 31 injured passengers had minor to moderate injuries, Abele said.

Abele said the bus had been inspected by the CHP as recently as April and there was no indication of mechanical problems.

Two police officers killed in Palm Springs, California shooting

Photographs from the scene showed the front of the tour bus wedged inside the back of the trailer, with emergency workers using metal ladders to reach the inside of the bus.

PHOTO: TWITTER/@kcrannews

The injured were being treated at hospitals while all westbound lanes of the interstate were closed near the crash, officials said.

Police in California kill black man acting erratically

The bus had left the Red Earth Casino in Salton City, California, and was headed to Los Angeles when the crash was reported to the CHP at about 5:17 a.m. (1217 GMT), Abele said.

The National Transportation Safety Board said it will investigate the crash and is sending an investigative team to the site.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ