Seven people killed in crash between bus and truck in US

Jane Howdle


At least seven people have died in a head-on crash between a bus and a truck in New Mexico.

A blown tyre on the truck forced it into oncoming traffic on Interstate 40 yesterday, where it collided with the Greyhound bus.

Many of the 49 passengers on board the coach, which was travelling to Phoenix from Albuquerque, were injured in the crash near the Arizona border.

Seven people are confirmed to have died in the head-on crash (Associated Press)
Seven people are confirmed to have died in the head-on crash (Associated Press)

New Mexico State Police and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.

At least nine coach passengers are being treated at the University of New Mexico Hospital, but their conditions are not known.

The devastating scene on Interstate 40, near the town of Thoreau, New Mexico (Associated Press)
The devastating scene on Interstate 40, near the town of Thoreau, New Mexico (Associated Press)

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Passing motorists described a chaotic scene with passengers on the ground and people screaming.

Witness Eric Huff said the truck’s trailer was upside down and “shredded to pieces” and the front of the Greyhound was smashed, with many of the seats pressed together. Part of the side of the coach was torn off, he added.

New Mexico State Police and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash (Associated Press)
New Mexico State Police and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash (Associated Press)

Passing lorry driver Santos Soto shot video showing the front of the Greyhound sheared off and the truck split open, with its contents of produce strewn across the road.

He saw people sobbing on the side of the road as bystanders tried to comfort them.

“I was really traumatised myself, because I’ve been driving about two years and I had never seen anything like that before,” Mr Soto said.

“I’m a pretty strong person and I broke down and cried for at least 30 minutes,” he added.

The front of the Greyhound bus was sheared off in the crash (Associated Press)
The front of the Greyhound bus was sheared off in the crash (Associated Press)

Greyhound spokeswoman Crystal Booker said: “We are fully co-operating with local authorities and will also complete an investigation of our own.”

The crash occurred near the town of Thoreau and forced the closure of the road’s westbound lanes.