News

California Bus Crash Kills Students

by Camille Bautista

A head-on collision between a FedEx truck and a tour bus carrying high school students killed at least 10 people, and injured dozens more, on a California highway Thursday evening. The fiery accident killed both drivers, along with five students and three chaperones. Many of those injured were students from various Los Angeles-area high schools, on their way to visit Humboldt State University.

A southbound FedEx truck crossed the highway median on Interstate 5 near Orland, California, then slammed into the tour bus heading north, according to local television station KRCR. The impact caused the two vehicles to burst into flames, and a California Highway Patrol officer told KRCR that one person was on fire when they arrived on the scene. At least 30 others were injured and taken to local hospitals.

Officials from the Los Angeles Unified School District are still trying to piece together which students were in the accident, according to the Los Angeles Times. Three charter buses were on their way to Humboldt State University — one was involved in the incident while the other two made it to the school for the university's Spring Preview event.

HSU's President Rollin Richmond offered support to the victims in a statement on the school's website saying:

Our hearts go out to those who have been affected, and we are here to support them, and their families, in any way possible ... The Humboldt State community sends our deepest condolences to all those involved in this tragic accident. We are saddened beyond words.

Investigators are still looking into possible causes of the fatal crash, which also involved a small car.

One student tweeted his experience, detailing events from the crash to the hospital bed. Jonathan Gutierrez said he suffered a bruised leg, cut eyebrow, and scratches.

Image: Joe Buscaino/Twitter