Two killed, dozens injured when bus overturns on California highway

A bus carrying 42 passengers overturned today, killing two people and injuring more than three dozen others, authorities said. The accident occurred around 7 a.m. on Highway 101 in Santa Maria in northern Santa Barbara County, said Capt. Keith Cullom of the county Fire Department.

He said two people were killed but details weren't immediately available. The Greyhound bus had left Los Angeles about four hours earlier and was headed to San Francisco, said Kim Plaskett, a spokeswoman for the Dallas-based bus line.

Relief buses were being sent to Santa Maria to collect the passengers who were able to continue their trip, Plaskett said. Seven people suffered major injuries, four had moderate injuries and others suffered minor injuries, authorities said.

"There are a lot of walking wounded," Cullom said. Helicopters were sent to airlift some of the injured to hospitals. Santa Maria is located about 75 miles (120 kilometers) northwest of Santa Barbara, the AP reported.

P.L.