Twenty people hospitalized, several with serious injuries, after a bus carrying church campers overturned in California.

In a tragic incident on Sunday night, a bus carrying 36 passengers from a church camp overturned on a treacherous stretch of California Highway 330, leading to the hospitalization of 20 individuals. The accident occurred around 9 p.m., prompting a swift response from the San Bernardino Fire Department.

First responders arrived on the scene to find the bus turned on its side in a turnout. Many passengers were reportedly extricating themselves from the vehicle, often using the roof hatch to escape. The passengers included a mix of teenagers and adults, with a total of 26 individuals suffering injuries, three of which were categorized as major.

Eyewitness accounts from the scene indicate that the bus swayed violently before it flipped onto its side. One passenger, Cyntia Ramirez, 21, described the harrowing moments leading up to the accident as a “freak accident.” Her youth leader played a crucial role in her rescue, assisting her and others in exiting the bus through the hatch.

The crash took place approximately 70 miles northeast of Los Angeles, at an elevation exceeding 6,000 feet, on a winding highway known for its challenging driving conditions. The bus was returning from a three-day youth retreat when the incident occurred.

Emergency responders included 11 engine companies and 11 ambulances, indicating a robust and immediate emergency response. Images shared by the fire department captured rescue workers providing aid to the injured passengers outside the overturned bus. Notably, the San Bernardino Fire Department had previously conducted a drill simulating an overturned bus scenario with adults and teenagers, a training exercise that officials credit for the effective response during this real-life emergency.

The California Highway Patrol is currently conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.

As the community reflects on this distressing event, attention will remain on the ongoing investigation, the well-being of the injured, and the potential implications for safety measures on California’s highway systems. The support of emergency services in such situations remains vital as they navigate the complexities of both rescue operations and subsequent inquiries.

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