REGION — A tour bus rollover on southbound Interstate 15 near Route 76 killed one passenger who became trapped under the bus and injured dozens of other passengers.
The incident occurred at 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 19. More than 20 passengers were aboard the charter tour bus heading from Panorama City, Calif. to the Valley View Casino when the driver lost control of the bus and it flipped over.
John Buchanan, public information officer for the North County Fire Prevention District, said four fire engines and a battalion chief from North County Fire responded to the scene, along with seven ambulances from Oceanside Fire Department, Vista Fire Department and North County Fire.
Buchanan said 13 bus passengers were transported immediately to area hospitals. A total of 19 were transported all together.
Six individuals suffered major injuries. As of Dec. 20 three to five of the injured passengers remain in the hospital.
A 64-year-old female from Glendale was ejected and trapped under the bus. She died at the scene of the accident.
Jim Bettencourt, of the California Highway Patrol, said the bus driver stated he lost control of the bus and unsuccessfully tried to pull over to the right shoulder when the bus flipped over. The name of the bus company and driver has not yet been released.
Slick roadways after a rain could have been a contributing factor.
California Highway Patrol is investigating the incident.
