The American Red Cross of Arkansas has provided them with food and shelter at a local motel.
Advertisement
Most of the survivors are from Mexico, and three are from Florida.
Police on Friday evening released a list of the survivors, residents of Mexico and Florida who ranged in age from 19 to 43. The driver was transporting 22 people from Michigan to Texas when the bus hit a bridge support on the highway. Mike Foster said. Highway officials said the span remained structurally sound, even though the impact tore off much of the roof, mostly toward the rear of the bus.
Crews with the Arkansas Red Cross on scene told reporters the passengers on the bus were migrant workers en route from Michigan to Texas. A few passengers were killed in the crash along with several injuries.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services says it approved a petition from Juan Vasquez, doing business as Juan Vasquez Citrus, previous year under its H-2A worker program.
“Why he did that is still under investigation”, Foster said.
Witnesses told police what they saw as the accident happened. Later, they will help provide the survivors with transportation to continue their journey. Meanwhile, Arkansas State Police have reached out to the Mexican Consulate to notify relatives of the victims.
Roberto Vasquez, 28, was behind the wheel when the bus ran off the right side of the highway, struck a wall and hit the bridge.
Jeff Lawson, who identified himself as owner of Detroit-based Continental Charters, said his company sold the bus, a T2140 Van Hool 1997 model, on Saturday to the citrus and hauling company for $8,000. A woman who answered the phone at the company Friday hung up as The Associated Press sought more information.
Arkansas State Police Maj.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Bryant says three of the dead were thrown from the bus.
Injured passengers were taken to University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Hospital and to Baptist Hospital, where they were treated and released.
Light rain was falling at the time of the accident, which will be investigated by the National Transportation and Safety Board, authorities said. He said his agency was not pursuing any kind of criminal investigation of the people involved.
The National Transportation Safety Board is sending investigators to look into the crash.
Advertisement
Six people aboard the bus were killed and numerous others were injured when the former charter bus struck an overpass along Interstate 40. A “Continental” sign was still visible on the wrecked bus on Friday. He said the buyer was supposed to remove the Continental lettering from the bus before operating it.
