Bus-truck collision death toll climbs

The death toll from a major highway crash on Friday night rose to 18, with another 14 injured in Hunan province, local authorities said on Saturday.

The accident occurred on an expressway in Hengdong county when a bus and truck collided head-on at about 8:41 pm. Sixteen people in the coach and two in the truck died, and 14 injured passengers were sent to four nearby hospitals. Traffic on the expressway resumed on Saturday morning, according to the traffic police.

The 55-seat bus was carrying 30 people, including the driver. The truck, which was normally used to transport hazardous chemicals, was empty at the time of the crash, a traffic officer said.