1 dead, 11 hospitalized after charter bus crashes near Oakhurst

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- One person is dead and 11 others were injured Saturday after a charter bus crashed north of Oakhurst, the California Highway Patrol said.

Authorities said the bus veered off the road, struck a pine tree and careened down an embankment at Highway 41 and Road 630, near Sugar Pine. They said a group of students from China, ranging in age from 12 to 14, and their chaperones were returning from a tour of Yosemite National Park around 5:30 p.m. when the crash happened.

Those injured were transported to the hospital, two by helicopter, while the remaining 10 passengers treated at the scene. One student with major injuries later died, authorities said.

"Five of them were transported to CRMC in Fresno and seven of them to Children's Hospital," Sgt. Michael Schwab with the California Highway Patrol said. "Two of the more the more critical injuries were flown out by helicopter."

Investigators are looking into what caused the crash that closed Highway 41 for several hours. Many drivers had to turn back because of the crash while crews worked to clear the scene but, for some, the wait was the least of their worries.

"It's pretty heartbreaking to know their ages," Rafael Lima said. "Hopefully, they're all okay and recover quickly."