Bus Filled with Farmworkers Involved in Fiery Crash Near Orcutt
SANTA MARIA, Calif. – A bus filled with 28 farmworkers was involved in a fiery crash Thursday afternoon south of Orcutt. Several people were taken to Marian Regional Medical Center for medical treatment.
One person person suffered major injuries while another suffered moderate injuries, and four others sustained minor injuries in the crash, according to Santa Barbara County Fire Capt. Dave Zaniboni.
The crash occurred at about 3 p.m. near the area of Highway 135 and Graciosa Way.
The retired school bus became engulfed in flames along with the trailer it was towing, which spread to nearby grass and brush. The fire burned about half an acre before being extinguished by firefighters.
Witnesses told our KCOY 12 Reporter George Kiriyama that some of the bus’ passengers jumped out the backdoor and the front side door to escape the flames.
Some of the bus’ passengers suffered burn injuries. The immediate area was closed down while crews worked to clean up the scene.
A second bus arrived on scene at about 4:30 p.m. and picked up the remaining passengers to take them to their destination. Early reports indicate that the farmworkers were coming home from a lettuce farm in Los Alamos.
Witnesses also said the bus kept rolling down the highway while on fire until it eventually drove down an embankment and into a ditch.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. Check back for continued updates.
VIDEO: Scene of Fiery Bus Crash Near Orcutt