ATWATER, CA (KMJ) – Merced County CHP and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) held a joint press conference to say what they could about Tuesday’s fatal bus crash.
CHP confirmed that 4 people died in the bus crash on Highway 99 north just north of Atwater. Originally that number was 5 dead – but with victims going to 3 different hospitals, CHP said it was difficult to locate everyone aboard the bus. CHP also confirmed that 27 people were on board the bus when it crashed. However, they could not speculate as to why the Autobuses Coordinados bus hit a pole that sliced through the vehicle.
CHP and the NTSB are now doing an on-scene investigation that will take 5 to 7 days, gathering facts from the scene and from witnesses. Any witnesses that may have seen the crash are asked to call Merced County CHP.
