One person is dead after a double-decker Megabus carrying about 64 passengers slammed head-on into a concrete bridge support pillar in Montgomery County, Illinois on Thursday.
Authorities have identified the deceased victim as 25-year-old Aditi Avhad, who was on her way to the University of Missouri in Columbia.
Illinois State Police is investigating whether a tire blew out to cause the bus to slam into a concrete pillar supporting an overpass on southbound Interstate 55 at mile marker 57, located just north of Litchfield.
Illinois State Police Trooper Doug Francis said 30 ambulances and five medical helicopters were sent to the scene.
Officials confirmed 22 patients were taken to St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. Most of them had moderate fractures, according to hospital officials.
48 injuries were reported overall
Sue Campbell with Memorial Hospital in Staunton said they had received six patients, but none of the injuries were considered life-threatening. They were expecting another four people.
Eight patients were transported to Hillsboro Area Hospital. None of those patients were in critical condition, officials said.
Officials said two additional victims were at Children’s Hospital.
Authorities said one person was taken by air to Barnes-Jewish hospital in critical condition, which was downgraded to serious condition late Thursday night. In addition, a 11-year-old and 7-year-old were taken to Barnes-Jewish on after suffering multiple fractures, according to hospital officials.
Another patient was airlifted to St. Louis University Hospital, but their condition was unknown.
Megabus spokeswoman Amanda Byers said 81 passengers were booked to ride the discount charter bus, which was on its way to St. Louis from Chicago. It was scheduled to then go to Kansas City.
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.