California church camp bus crash sends 20 to hospital

A bus carrying 36 people, including teens and young adults from a weekend church camp, overturned late Sunday in the San Bernardino Mountains of California. The vehicle lost control on a winding two-lane highway near Running Springs, about 113 km northeast of Los Angeles, and tipped onto its side while descending from a retreat at Camp Nawakwa.

At around 8:50 pm, the driver reportedly struck the right shoulder rock embankment on a steep curve, causing the bus to roll over. The San Bernardino County Fire Department confirmed that 26 patients were treated on scene and 20 were transported by ambulance to nearby hospitals. Among the injured, three were described as having major injuries, including a head injury and multiple fractures.

One of the passengers, a 21-year-old community college student, said she dozed off soon before the crash, waking to screams and being pulled from the roof hatch by a youth leader. A youth leader from Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Santa Ana described the accident as a “freak accident” on a scenic yet tubular route. Authorities closed the road while the California Highway Patrol and forensic teams investigated the cause and collect evidence at the crash site.

Investigators continue to examine whether driver fatigue, speed, mechanical failure or road conditions played a role. The tragic incident will raise fresh questions about safety protocols for youth retreats travelling on remote mountain roads.

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