Bus crash in Texas kills 13

 

(Updates with quote, details)

DALLAS, Aug 8 (Reuters) - At least 13 people on their way to a religious festival were killed when a private charter bus crashed north of Dallas, police reported on Friday.

The bus carrying 55 people lost control on a highway overpass, slid along a guard rail and rolled on its side near Sherman, Texas, about 60 miles (96 km) north of Dallas, at about 12:45 a.m. CDT (0545 GMT) Friday, police said.

"We have 13 (dead) confirmed at this time," police Lt. Steve Ayers said at a press conference from the scene of the crash.

Police said the bus did not plunge from a bridge as some initial media reports suggested. Local TV footage showed the mangled wreckage of the bus.

The number of injured remained unclear, but some reports put the figure around 40. Police said a blown tire appeared to be the main cause of the crash.

The driver of the bus was reported to be in stable condition.

Local media reported that most of passengers were from the Vietnamese Martyrs Church of Houston and were on their way to Carthage, Missouri, for the Marian Days festival, an annual celebration of the Virgin Mary.