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At Least 8 Dead, 17 Injured In Mentone Tour Bus Collision

MENTONE (CBSLA.com) — Authorities say at least eight people were killed and 17 more injured in a collision involving a tour bus and pickup truck in Mentone.

The accident occurred at California Highway 38 and Bryant Street. Highway 38 is closed in both directions.

A spokesperson for Caltrans said the bus originated from Tijuana. A representative of the Mexican consulate is on-scene, according to Caltrans.

Reporting from about a half-mile from the scene, CBS2 and KCAL9's Andrea Fujii said the bus was headed back to Mexico from Big Bear.

She spoke with Michelle Profant of Caltrans who said of the crash scene, "It's pretty ugly up there."

Profant said the cause of the crash was still under investigation but a preliminary finding believed the bus driver lost control, flipped and fell on the pick-up truck.

At least two passengers were also reportedly trapped in the wreckage. Eleven others are described as "walking wounded."

The crash was reported just after 6:30 p.m.

Fujii reported there were 39 people on the bus and four in the pickup truck.

CalFire and San Bernardino County Police are reportedly on scene. The crash occurred between Redlands and Yucaipa.

County Fire has reportedly asked for 15 ambulances to respond to the scene.

Eric Sherwin of the San Bernardino County Fire Department said there were 27 injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening.

Two adults and two juveniles are being treated at Loma Linda University Medical Center. It is unknown if these victims are related. Their condition is unknown.

Four victims are being treated at Arrowhead Medical Center. All four victims are adult females, one is critical.

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