Fatal bus crash

[Nusa]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30464222/

SOLEDAD, Calif. - At least seven people were killed and dozens more were injured in a crash Tuesday afternoon involving a tour bus and several other vehicles, NBC affiliate KSBW-TV reported, quoting the California Highway Patrol.

Initial reports said as many as 10 people were killed but that number was later lowered to six and then changed again to seven.

The Orion Pacific Charter bus carrying 38 passengers, all reported to be French-speaking tourists, crashed at about 3:25 p.m. PT on an overpass at Camphora Gloria Road off Highway 101, KSBW said. The bus was traveling from San Francisco to Santa Maria.

CHP officials said children were involved in the crash and that at least one person was ejected from the bus and went over the highway guardrail, KSBW reported.

Highway 101 was shut down for several hours in both directions from Soledad to Gonzales, according to KSBW. At least seven helicopters headed to the area, 15 miles southeast of Salinas, to transport those injured to area hospitals.

Video broadcast on KSBW showed the bus lying on its side, its left side caved in. Scores of rescue personnel bearing stretchers were on the scene as vehicles backed up on Highway 101.

The accident occurred when the bus struck the guardrail on an overpass, skidded and overturned. It appeared that some people were being treated on the roadway below. It was not immediately known whether they had fallen from the overpass or were moved there for safety.

Eight people were reported to be in critical condition, according to NBC affiliate KNTV in San Francisco. Several people were transported to Lee Memorial Hospital in King City and the hospital said a number of critically injured people were being flown back to the Bay Area.

Part of the guardrail was ripped from the overpass. By early evening, authorities had reopened one lane on northbound Highway 101.

Spokesman Brad Hunter of Orion Pacific Charter Bus said the driver of the vehicle was an experienced veteran. Hunter said the bus was only six months old. The bus is designed to hold 56 passengers.

CHP officers told KSBW said they were looking to see if speed or alcohol played a role in the crash.

Follow the link for video.

(Note: the story at the link has changed since I copied the text above. More details and fewer deaths.)

[Nusa]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-crash29-2009apr29,0,7971140.story

Another story, with some close-up shots. I don't know enough to identify the bus, but someone here can, I'm sure.

[JackConrad]

I don't know enough to identify the bus, but someone here can, I'm sure.

If you look at photo #2 (front of bus, laying on it's side), you can see PREVOST across the front of the bus below where the windshield was.  Jack