Megabus crash kills one passenger, injures dozens

A Megabus crashed into an Illinois highway support pillar Thursday, killing one person and injuring dozens more, authorities said.

The bus, which was travelling from Chicago to Kansas City, Missouri, crashed about 55 miles northeast of St. Louis, reported the Associated Press.

The collision, which killed a 25-year-old passenger, mangled the front of the bus so severely that emergency responders used ladders to rescue passengers trapped inside.

Amanda Byers, Megabus spokeswoman, said the bus was at full capacity, carrying 81 passengers.

Illinois State Police Trooper Doug Francis said that at least 38 people were transported to nearby hospitals, including five transported by helicopter.

Several passengers reported hearing a tire blow out before the crash, but no evidence of driver error or other contributing factors could be identified after the crash Illinois State Police Lt Louis Kink told USA Today.

A final investigation report could take up to two weeks to complete, according to Kink.

Megabus drivers are required to take nine hours off between trips and go through extensive classroom and behind-the-wheel training.