Ten people were killed April 10 when a FedEx truck collided with a charter bus full of low-income high school students just outside of Orland, California, approximately 200 miles north of Turlock.
The bus was one of three on the way to Humboldt State University for the school’s Spring Preview.
The high school students aboard were part of a program that exposes underrepresented youth from the Los Angeles area to the opportunities of being first-generation students at Humboldt State University.
Among those killed were five students, three adult chaperones and the drivers of each vehicle.
More than 30 were taken to nearby hospitals with injuries, including UC Davis Medical Center where a California State University, Stanislaus student, Emily McNiel, was visiting her boyfriend.
“They were bringing all the patients in and I was hearing all of the nurses talk about an ‘internal emergency,’ and basically that means they were discharging whoever they possibly could to get more beds for the bus survivors,” McNiel (senior, Child Development) said.
“A psychologist who came in to debrief my boyfriend, who is also in the trauma center, he was telling me that he had to go by all of the victims’ rooms the next day and help them cope with what had happened. It really makes you think about how much trauma these people went through, not just physically, but emotionally as well.”
The southbound FedEx truck was pulling two trailers on Interstate 5 when it cut across the grass median and hit the tour bus head-on.
The crash sparked a fire, which prompted those on board the bus to escape by breaking the windows.
The American Red Cross responded immediately by setting up a response station at a local veterans’ memorial hall where they provided food and shelter to those involved in the crash.
The official cause of the collision remains unknown, and California Highway Patrol reports that it could take at least three months to investigate.
Chancellor Timothy White sent an email to all CSUs April 11 expressing his sympathy for those involved.
“Our campuses prepare for the unimaginable and last night it occurred,” Chancellor White said.
“Our hearts reach out to the parents, families, friends, colleagues and teachers directly impacted. The CSU family grieves with them. No words can sufficiently express our sorrow.”
Governor Jerry Brown released a statement commending relief efforts and expressing his family’s condolences.
“Anne and I extend our heartfelt and deep sympathies to the families, friends and loved ones of those who died in the tragic accident near Orland this evening,” Governor Brown said.
“As we mourn the loss of those who died, we join all Californians in expressing our gratitude for the tireless work of the Red Cross and emergency personnel who responded bravely to this terrible tragedy.”