A California highway was the scene of a tragic accident when a bus carrying a church group, including several teenagers, caught fire and overturned. The group was returning from a youth retreat when the incident occurred, resulting in injuries to 26 individuals. Of those injured, 20 were hospitalized, while six declined further medical attention at the scene. Three of those hospitalized sustained major injuries. The bus was carrying a total of 36 passengers, as reported by the San Bernardino County Fire Department.
The group, approximately 125 members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Santa Ana, had traveled to Camp Nawakwa in the San Bernardino Mountains for a three-day retreat. They were on their way back to Orange County on several buses when one of them crashed on a winding curve of a two-lane highway near Running Springs, according to a statement from the Diocese of Orange.
Father José Félix Troncoso, a pastor at the church, confirmed that six parishioners remained in the hospital as of Monday afternoon. They were receiving treatment for injuries including fractured fingers and at least one head injury. The other buses carrying the remaining retreat attendees arrived at their destination without incident.
An eyewitness account suggested that the bus caught fire as the driver attempted to navigate a sharp turn. Despite the driver’s efforts to control the vehicle, it overturned. All 36 passengers were able to escape the burning bus, with some, like 21-year-old community college student Cyntia Ramirez, exiting through the top hatch with assistance from the youth leaders.
One of the youth leaders, 20-year-old Prisilla Mendoza, was resting after the retreat when the accident occurred. She woke up to the sound of screams and later blacked out, unable to recall her escape. The California Highway Patrol has since closed the road in both directions and is currently investigating the crash.