Five people have died and nearly three dozen have been injured after a bus in the US state of Virginia struck six vehicles, police say.

Friday's early morning crash occurred on the southbound side of Interstate 95 as traffic slowed for a work zone, Virginia State Police said.

At least 34 people were taken to hospital, with three in critical condition, police said in a statement. The five who died were in vehicles hit by the bus.

Police are still investigating the multi-vehicle crash. Their early investigation indicates that the bus "failed to slow for traffic" and struck the six vehicles ahead of the work zone. It was not immediately known what the bus had been hired for or who was on board.

Virginia State Police A white and black bus sits on greenery on the side of a road after a crash.

Charges in the case are pending, according to the press statement.

Police said the fatal crash occurred at about 0235 local time (0735 BST) on Friday at the 146-mile marker in Stafford County. Southbound lanes were closed for seven hours after the crash while traffic was detoured.

The roadway has since fully reopened, Virginia State Police spokesman Matthew Demlein told the BBC.

In images provided by Virginia State Police, the damaged bus was seen lying in a grassy area alongside the motorway.

The BBC's US media partner CBS News reported that 19 people were taken to Mary Washington Hospital in nearby Fredericksburg. Five of them have been discharged and two remain in critical condition.

Twelve patients were taken to Stafford Hospital and have since been discharged, CBS reported.

A police spokesperson told a local affiliate that there have been two additional crashes in the vicinity of the original crash location.

Demlein declined to comment on that report.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Tags:

Bus crash in Virginia kills 5, injures many people

Suggested for you

More Stories

Rain is Coming: GMet Warns Northern and Transition Areas

Bagbin praises UBIDS for being strong, promises government support is coming

'I Am Not an Accounting Student' — Nigeria's Youngest Chartered Accountant, 16-Year-Old Osasere Okundaye Shares His Story

Top Officials Gather for Ayatollah Funeral, But Eldest Son Is Absent

No degree is useless if the economy works – Kwaku Asare replies Adutwum

Anambra Police Explain Why They Are Seizing Cars With Tinted Windows

Discussion