Megabus From Chicago Crashes On I-55 (UPDATE: 1 Killed)

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Aug 2, 2012 8:20PM

A double-decker Megabus from Chicago crashed on Interstate 55. According to the Tribune, police say the bus "had a flat tire and lost control and hit an overpass pillar near Litchfield, about 60 miles north of St. Louis."

KMOV-St. Louis has more information on the emergency response, but the state of the victims isn't known yet.

Authorities said at least 18 ambulance and six helicopters were on the scene taking victims to the hospital. Officials confirmed 10 of those ambulances were headed to St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield.

Sue Campbell with Memorial Hospital said they were expecting between six and nine patients. Others were being transported to Springfield Hospitals.

Firefighters could be seen putting up at least four ladders to help rescue victims who were trapped on the top level of the bus.

Other emergency crews were setting up a triage in the median of the highway to treat injured passengers.

We'll keep you posted as information comes out.

UPDATE (3:30 p.m.): According to KSDK, the bus left from Chicago and planned stops in Columbia and Kansas City. They say as many as 81 people were on board at the time of the accident.

UPDATE (4:30 p.m.): According to the Tribune, at least 25 people were injured, some critically.

UPDATE (5:10 p.m.): The Tribune has confirmed one woman was killed in the crash. The bus was carrying 64 passengers when it collided with the pillar of an overpass around 1:20 p.m.