14 DAY TRIAL // A crash leaves California Highway 38 closed in both directions, at the intersection with Bryant Street in Mentone, California.
A Caltrans tour bus collided with a pick-up truck, leaving 8 people killed and at least 18 severely injured. According to Newsday, the crash occurred near Forest Falls, 80 miles (128 km) from the city of Los Angeles.
A report from San Bernardino County Fire Department spokesman Eric Sherwin puts 27 people as wounded at the scene, their injuries ranging from minor to more serious.
CBS station KCBS quotes Michelle Profant, a spokeswoman for Caltrans who has visited the site, as she describes the scene of the accident.
“It’s pretty ugly up there,” she says.
A preliminary inquiry has revealed that the bus driver lost control of the vehicle, flipping it over and hitting the truck on its way.
The bus originally departed from Tijuana, traveled to Big Bear and was heading back to Mexico. The Mexican consulate has dispatched a rep to the crash scene.
At the time the accident occurred, at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 3, 39 passengers were on the bus. The pickup truck was carrying 4 more people.
15 ambulances have been called in to transport the victims to local hospitals. While two people remain trapped inside the bus, a rescue effort is in place at the time of this report.
Loma Linda University Medical Center is reportedly treating 4 people involved in the crash – 2 adults and 2 children. At this point, there are no details about whether or not they are related.
Four more women, one having incurred life-threatening injuries, are receiving treatment at Arrowhead Medical Center.
This story is developing, but we will keep you updated as more details are shared with the press.