Updated at 2:40 p.m. PT with new information on the victims
Seattle police and fire responders are tending to an unknown number of injured people on the Aurora Bridge after a Ride the Ducks of Seattle boat truck collided with a charter bus, killing at least four and injuring dozens of others.
During a press conference Thursday afternoon, Seattle Fire Department Chief Harold Scoggins said four victims were dead on the scene while injuries numbered over two dozen, including 12 who were critically hurt.
Breaking News;Massive rescue underway after Ride the Duck boat and charter bus collide. @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/qwwL5RQjjf— Alison Grande (@AlisonKIRO7) September 24, 2015
Firefighters still evaluating patients. Confirm 2 fatalities, 9 critical injuries. Media area near south end of bridge. Briefing at noon.— Seattle Fire Dept (@SeattleFire) September 24, 2015
WARNING: graphic images from accident. pic.twitter.com/DaUcH272NW— Lindsay Cohen (@lindsaycohen) September 24, 2015
One witness told KIRO 7 that the Ride the Duck vehicle, which was traveling in the opposite direction of the charter bus, lost control, swerved, and then struck the bus. Several people were reported thrown from both vehicles. North Seattle Community College confirmed earlier reports that the 45 passengers on the charter bus were students and staff from the school's international program.
Ron Chow, a representative of the Chinese consulate, told The Seattle Times that he has received confirmation from the hospital and North Seattle College officials that all four of the bus passengers who died were students.
While 48 students from 6 countries were involved, it is unclear how many of them were Chinese.
Charter bus was carrying exchange students from North Seattle Community College, reports @mattmarkovich. #liveonKOMORadio— Lindsay Cohen (@lindsaycohen) September 24, 2015
Overall, four vehicles were involved in the crash and a Seattle Fire official said the two fatalities were passengers on the charter bus.
This woman visiting from out of town told me the Duck swerved and then she was thrown from the vehicle. pic.twitter.com/OdtVtf0RUw— Lindsay Cohen (@lindsaycohen) September 24, 2015
Int'l student on bus tells @NatashaKIRO7 what happened on Aurora bridge @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/Q5RM5rAPWZ— AMY CLANCY (@ClancyKIRO7) September 24, 2015
.@SeattleDucks confirm they are suspending operations for the rest of the day following the deadly crash on the Aurora Bridge. #liveonkomo— KOMO News (@komonews) September 24, 2015
Traffic was also backed up on State Road 99, around the Aurora Bridge.
A collision is blocking all NB & SB lanes on the SR 99 Aurora Bridge. Use alternate routes! pic.twitter.com/wRCyAtBmBP— seattledot (@seattledot) September 24, 2015