SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY – At least eight people died Sunday night and 42 more were injured in a bus accident near Yucaipa, KTLA News reported yesterday. The collision was reported around 6:30 p.m. on State Route 38, and involved two other vehicles. Although the incident remains under investigation, authorities believe the bus rear-ended a Saturn sedan, collided with a Ford pickup truck that was pulling a trailer, and then overturned. The collision occurred north of Yucaipa and below Forest Falls.
KTLA reported that the bus driver told investigators that the bus was having brake problems coming down the mountain. Witnesses said that prior to the crash, the bus was travelling very fast and smoke could be seen coming from the back of the bus. According to KTLA, the bus was registered to Scapadas Magicas of National City. It had departed from Tijuana early Sunday and was coming back from Big Bear when the collision occurred.
InterBus Tours has since released a statement offering their condolences to all of those affected via their Facebook page: “InterBus Tours is working to support our clients and their families that unfortunately suffered an accident coming down from the mountains of Big Bear in San Bernardino CA,” the statement read. The company is working with local Mexican consulate to help families.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced via Twitter that the agency was sending a team to investigate the crash.
Victims were rushed to multiple area hospitals including Loma Linda University Medical Center, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, and Redlands Community Hospital. According to one man with four relatives on board, many of the people on the tour bus were medical students from the University of Tijuana.
If it is the case that the accident was caused by faulty brakes, the tour bus operator may be liable for all of the resulting deaths and injuries. The victims would be well-advised to consult an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer as soon as possible.
Estey Bomberger attorneys have represented many tour bus accident victims. If a you or a family member were involved in this collision, contact us today at (800)925-0723 for a free consultation.
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