Just left Vina Robles Amphitheatre
FROM KSBY TV San Luis Obispo, California
(UPDATE: 5:00 a.m.) - CHP says a man is dead following a tour bus crash near Shandon Wednesday night.
CHP has ruled out drugs or alcohol being a cause of the crash. They say the tour bus left Josh Turner's concert at Vina Robles and for unknown reasons, the driver left the road and drove 20 yards through vegetation until he hit the riverbed.
First responders say the bus launched off an 80 foot cliff, and impacted the sand. As a result of the impact, numerous passengers suffered major injuries.
Two passengers were ejected, one of them died. Emergency crews say the driver was extracted and transported to Cottage Hospital in Fresno by air.
The tour bus was enroute to Washington State. According to a truck driver witness, the bus was traveling about 60-65 mph, the speed limit in that area is 55.
The bus following says they saw no brake lights when the bus left the road. CHP says they will be impounding the vehicle to see if there are any mechanical issues.
CHP is also looking into whether medical issues were a factor. They say the driver's age is unknown, but likely in his 50's.
Overall, CHP says there were eight to nine passengers on board including the driver and all injuries were significant.
Crews will remain on scene throughout the day in order to pull the bus out of the embankment.
Highway 46 near Mcmillan Canyon road is now open in both directions.
[FINAL] #CenterIC Confirmed Tour Bus of the Josh Turner Road Crew was involved in this accident. Mr. Josh Turner and band were in different buses and not injured. #CHP and #Firefighters will be at scene several hours for investigation and clean up. pic.twitter.com/zVnPEjy5BN
— CAL FIRE SLO (@CALFIRE_SLO) September 19, 2019
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(UPDATE 2:30 a.m.) - CAL Fire SLO says a tour bus from the Josh Turner concert at Vina Robles Amphitheater Wednesday night crashed off of Highway 46 near Shandon.
Fire officials say the people on the tour bus included members of Josh Turner's band crew. First responders say Josh Turner, or any of the musicians were not involved in the crash.
Firefighters are on scene with rope systems to help get the patients up the 50 foot embankment.
One person is confirmed dead. Six patients are being taken to local hospitals, one is being flown to a trauma center in Northern California.
Both eastbound lanes of Highway 46 are closed.
[UPDATE] #CenterIC 8 patients, 5 moderate, 2 major and 1 deceased. #Firefighters #EMS at scene. pic.twitter.com/EKtjy8CzKq
— CAL FIRE SLO (@CALFIRE_SLO) September 19, 2019
