Some injured in KC-bound Megabus.com bus crash still hospitalized

LITCHFIELD, Ill. - Some of the 38 people transported to hospitals after a Kansas City-bound double-decker bus crash that killed a University of Missouri student from India were still being treated early Friday, hospital officials told the Associated Press.

The Megabus.com bus crashed along Interstate 55 just north of Litchfield, Ill., at about 1:20 p.m. It was scheduled to make stops in St. Louis and Columbia before arriving in Kansas City around 7:30 p.m.

Killed in the crash was 25-year-old Aditi Avhad, an India native who according to NBC affiliate KSDK in St. Louis was attending school at the University of Missouri in Columbia.

Paula Endress, spokeswoman for St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield, who said many of the 22 people brought there for treatment had been released, though she did not know the actual number.

In St. Louis, Barnes Jewish Hospital spokeswoman Liz Kalicak said two patients remained at the hospital early Friday, one in serious condition and another in fair condition.

The bus driver was among the injured, but his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, Megabus said.

“The thoughts and prayers of our entire staff go out to everyone involved, particularly the family of the person who has died,” the company said in a statement.

Illinois State Police have advised family members of any passengers who were on the bus to contact ISP District 18 Headquarters at (217) 324-4900, Ext 0.

The cause of the crash was under investigation, police said. State Trooper Doug Francis said investigators were trying to confirm a report that the bus blew a tire. He said a strong thunderstorm made crash reconstruction at the site difficult.