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Texas bus crash kills 14 pilgrims Texas bus crash kills 15 pilgrims
(about 4 hours later)
At least 14 people have been killed in the US state of Texas after a bus carrying a Vietnamese church group crashed off a bridge into a ravine. Fifteen people have been killed in the US state of Texas after a bus carrying a Vietnamese church group crashed off a bridge into a ravine.
The bus, carrying 55 people, slid off the highway express bridge in Sherman town, about 60 miles (100 km) north of Dallas, at 0045 local time (0545 GMT). The bus, carrying 55 people, slid off a bridge in Sherman, about 60 miles (100 km) north of Dallas, at 0045 local time (0545 GMT) on Friday.
Police said the bus was chartered by Vietnamese Catholics from Houston who were on a pilgrimage to Missouri.Police said the bus was chartered by Vietnamese Catholics from Houston who were on a pilgrimage to Missouri.
At least 40 people have been injured, agencies reported. The operators of the bus did not have a valid licence, officials say.
Several of the injured were reported to be in a critical condition.
Initial reports said the bus lost control and smashed into the rail guard of the bridge. It apparently then skidded along the rail before sliding off the bridge.Initial reports said the bus lost control and smashed into the rail guard of the bridge. It apparently then skidded along the rail before sliding off the bridge.
At the site of the crash, the crumpled wreckage of the bus lay on its right side, littered with luggage, shopping bags and scattered clothing.At the site of the crash, the crumpled wreckage of the bus lay on its right side, littered with luggage, shopping bags and scattered clothing.
'Driver alive' Expired certificate
Officials at the scene said it was too early to comment on what caused the accident. Twelve people died at the screen of the crash and another three later in local hospitals.
Sherman police lieutenant Robert Fair told the Associated Press news agency: "We're not ruling out anything right now." Leha Nguyen: "I'm the luckiest one"
Reports suggested that a tyre on the bus may have blown or that the weather may have played a role as there was light rain in the area at the time. A large section of the highway was closed as ambulances and at least 13 helicopters rushed to the scene to ferry the wounded to several hospitals in the Dallas area.
Reports said the driver was alive and was currently with police officers. One passenger, Leha Nguyen, 45, said people were dozing off when passengers started screaming.
"Somebody was laying on my legs. A lady next to me, she had her arm crushed up," she said.
"I think I'm the luckiest one out of most people," she added, stating that none of the passengers were wearing seatbelts.
Accident investigators say that a tyre on the bus blew out, and that it had been refitted with a new tread, in violation of safety regulations.
The National Transportation Safety Board said that the 52-year-old driver, who survived the crash, had a commercial licence, but had an expired medical certificate.
According to Houston's KHOU-TV, the passengers were from the Vietnamese Martyrs Church of Houston who were on their way to Carthage, Missouri, for the Marian Days festival, an annual celebration to honour the Virgin Mary.According to Houston's KHOU-TV, the passengers were from the Vietnamese Martyrs Church of Houston who were on their way to Carthage, Missouri, for the Marian Days festival, an annual celebration to honour the Virgin Mary.
Local newspapers said a large section of the highway had been closed as ambulances and at least 13 helicopters rushed to the scene to ferry the wounded to several hospitals in the Dallas area.