2 dead, some seriously hurt in school bus crash; teens trapped

[Zephie]

Source: LA Times

The California Highway Patrol reports that there are at least two fatalities and other serious injuries after a school bus filled with teenagers collided with another vehicle and went down a snow-covered embankment near Crestline.

The CHP's website said the coroner's office has been called to the scene in the San Bernardino Mountains as crews tried to rescue trapped teens inside the bus.

Several of the youths have been extricated from the bus, and a makeshift triage center was set up nearby, according to KCAL-TV, Channel 9. Authorities said they believe there were at least 20 students on board, with half of them immobilized in the crash.

Updated, 2 p.m.: Two teens involved in the crash have been transported to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. One teen is listed in critical condition, hospital nurses said. Staff did not know the condition of the second hospitalized teen. More injured passengers are also being transported to the hospital.

Read more: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/02/2-dead-many-seriously-hurt-in-school-bus-crash-teens-trapped.html

[liberal N proud]

1. Parents nightmare - every time they send their kids on trips

Our daughter was on a school trip that didn't get home until 1:00am this morning. It was supposed to be in at 11:00pm last night. We had an ice storm while they were away.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Oh no!!

[Cleita]

3. OMG! I've been on that road, in a school bus going to camp, and it's

really treacherous. The road is right on the edge of the mountain and the side is a really steep drop. I hope they can rescue the rest of the victims before there are any more deaths.

[Corruption Winz]

4. Jesus, that's awful..

I hope that everyone else is alright. Really horrible that a couple of deaths came from this accident.

This is one of the several reasons I know I could never be a parent. I don't know how I'd handle this. In any event, I hope that something positive can come of this and no one else ends up dead.

I wonder how the accident occurred. Was it avoidable or was it just a snow-induced accident.

[AsahinaKimi]

5. I never understood why

Buses never had Seatbelts.. Why? Cars do, trucks do? Why not school buses?

[Haole Girl]

6. I've often wondered the same thing

Found this when I googled it:

http://www.googobits.com/articles/p2-362-why-dont-school-buses-have-seat-belts.html

http://durhamregion.typepad.com/questions/2007/10/why-dont-school.html

http://education.families.com/blog/why-dont-school-buses-have-seat-belts

[AndyTiedye]

7. 4:20 Update, Now they Say *1* Fatality, Not 2.