AT least one person has been killed and 32 injured after a tour bus packed with over 60 people collided with a car on Mother’s Day.
The horror smash was reported on the 60 Freeway in Hacienda Heights, California, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department received a call at 5:07 am regarding a tour bus colliding with a Nissan SUV. The incident took place in the morning hours as reported by KTLA.
Emergency responders reached the location by 5:13 am to find the vehicle engulfed in flames. Tragically, the driver did not survive the crash.
They were the only person inside the vehicle, the authorities later said.
One official told KTLA that the car burst into flames on impact, leaving the driver trapped inside.
From those onboard the tour bus, 32 were injured and transported to nearby hospitals – two are said to be in a critical condition.
According to an official statement from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the incident was described as a “TRAFFIC COLLISION WITH VEHICLE FIRE | FS 118 | WB 60 E of Hacienda Blvd #HaciendaHeights | Dispatched 5:07, on scene 5:13.”
“Collision between bus and suv. Suv fully engulfed on arrival. No fire spread to bus. 1 Fatality 2 Critical, remaining assessments ongoing.“
Someone who witnessed the horrifying smash has detailed how there was no time to react as the incident unfolded.
The driver who was heading westbound at the time told KTLA that everything happened “so quick” and that “everyone tried to stop, but there was just not enough time”.
“It happened so quickly…a lot of chaos and then just red lights,” another witness added.
“It’s going to be very [catastrophic] especially because it’s Mother’s Day…it’s very sad that it had to start like this.”
Meanwhile, California Highway Patrol for Santa Fe Springs has warned drivers to avoid the area as road closures have been enforced while the incident is under investigation.
The westbound 60 Freeway has been closed between Azusa Avenue and Hacienda Boulevard and it is not known when it will reopen.
“SR-60 WB, west of Azusa Ave. the HOV, #1 and #2 lanes closed for unknown duration as investigation continues,” a statement on X read.
“Avoid the area and utilize alternate routes if possible!”
As the investigation continues, a hazardous materials team has been dispatched to the area in case of fuel leaks from either vehicle.
An update from the LA County Fire Department confirmed that 26 of those injured from the bus were transported to local hospitals with “minor injuries”.
“No fire spread to bus. 1 Fatality, 3 pts for Immediate transport, 3 Delayed (just after Immediates) and 26 minor injuries transported. 31 non-transports,” the update read.
