4 killed, many injured in tour bus crash near Bryce Canyon in Utah

Las Vegas Review-Journal

5 years ago

Authorities work the scene where at least four people were killed in a tour bus crash near Bryc ... — Authorities work the scene where at least four people were killed in a tour bus crash near Bryce Canyon National Park, Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Utah. (Spenser Heaps/The Deseret News via AP)

The remains of a bus that crashed while carrying Chinese-speaking tourists lie along State Route 12 near Bryce Canyon National Park, Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Utah, as authorities continue to investigate. (Spenser Heaps/The Deseret News via AP)

This photo provided by the Utah Highway Patrol shows a tour bus carrying Chinese-speaking tourists after it crashed near Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah, killing at least four people and critically injuring multiple others, Friday, Sept. 20, 2019. (Utah Highway Patrol via AP)

Two Utah Highway patrolmen continue to work the scene where at least four people were killed in a tour bus crash near Bryce Canyon National Park, Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Utah. (Spenser Heaps/The Deseret News via AP)

This photo released by the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office shows a tour bus that was carrying Chinese-speaking tourists after it crashed near Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah, killing at least four people and critically injuring up to 15 others, Friday, Sept. 20, 2019. (Sheriff Danny Perkins/Garfield County Sheriff’s Office via AP)

Four people were killed and dozens were injured in a tour bus crash near Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah, Friday, Sept. 20, 2019. (Garfield County Sheriff’s Office)

A tour bus carrying 30 Chinese tourists crashed Friday near Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park, leaving four people dead and dozens more injured.

Just after 11:30 a.m., a large white tour bus heading east on state Route 12 ran off the highway and struck a guardrail at mile marker 10, near the entrance to Bryce Canyon, according to the Utah Highway Patrol.

The Highway Patrol said the bus carrying 31 people, including the driver, was on its way to Bryce Canyon, about 250 miles from Las Vegas.

Four people died and five people were in critical condition as of Friday night. Several more people have “very minor to serious injuries in stable condition,” according to the Utah Highway Patrol.

Three women and one man — all from Shanghai — died in the crash. They were identified as Ling Geng, 68; Xiuyun Chen, 67; Zhang Caiyu, 62; and Zhongliang Caiyu, 65.

The bus driver is Chinese-American and is among the injured, according to the Highway Patrol.

Sgt. Nick Street said the driver did not appear to be intoxicated, but authorities were still investigating his condition as well as any possible mechanical problems.

The National Transportation Safety Board was dispatched to the scene to work with investigators to determine the cause of the crash.

At least three medical helicopters were dispatched to the crash site.

The company listed on the bus was America Shengjia Inc. Utah business records indicate it is based in Monterey Park, California.

A photo of the crash posted to Twitter on Friday by the Highway Patrol shows a crushed white tour bus on the shoulder of the highway surrounded by shattered glass and debris.

The Chinese Embassy tweeted that it was saddened to hear about the crash and that it was sending staff to help the victims.

Contact Rio Lacanlale at rlacanlale@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Follow @riolacanlale on Twitter. Review-Journal staff writers Katelyn Newberg and Julie Wootton-Greener contributed to this report. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

New pictures of the bus crash near Bryce Canyon. 4 dead, dozens injured. @KUTV2News has a crew on the way. pic.twitter.com/JhkFCe9BxK

— Kylene Glover (@KyleneAGlover) September 20, 2019