(20 Sep 1997) Japanese/English

A school bus packed with Japanese children collided with a car on a San Diego freeway on Saturday, injuring 23 passengers.

The accident occurred when a car travelling in front of the bus veered out of control, forcing the bus into the car and the central reservation.

All 53 students on the bus were badly shaken by the accident.

One passenger was rushed to a local hospital in a serious condition, while three others were also admitted suffering from minor injuries.

Authorities expect that all four will be released either on Saturday or Sunday morning.

A California Highway Patrol Officer said the bus was travelling south on a busy San Diego highway when a car travelling in front went out of control. This forced the bus to crash into the vehicle.

Both drivers were slightly hurt, along with youngsters in both vehicles.

The students, aged six to thirteen years, were travelling to a local school to study an English programme organised by the Japanese Government.

Their parents are working with Japanese companies on the US-Mexican border.

School principal, Tatsuya Takahashi, said he was concerned about the accident and the condition of those that were injured.

SOUNDBITE: (Japanese)
(Rough English translation: We are praying right now that there were no serious injuries. We do not know very much - but one child could have been hurt seriously."
SUPER CAPTION: Tatsuya Takahashi, Principal, Minato Gakuen

Parents of the children involved in the accident rushed to the school as word of the incident reached them.

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