High toll in HK bus crash

Rescue workers were quickly at the scene. Story Tools

HONG KONG, China (CNN) -- A double-decker bus packed with commuters and school children has plunged down a Hong Kong hillside, killing at least 22 people and injuring 20 others.

Police told CNN the bus was near an expressway bridge in the New Territories area of northeastern Hong Kong when it crashed, tumbling 50 meters (164 ft) down a cliff.

The crash occurred Thursday at 6:30 a.m. local time (2230 GMT Wednesday) in Tuen Mun as commuters were heading to work.

Those killed or injured were aged between 9 and 55, a government statement said.

Four patients are in a critical condition, 12 are in a serious condition, according to the statement.

Yu did not have details of the crash, but local broadcasters reported the bus plunged off the bridge after it collided with a truck on Tuen Mun Road.

Rescue workers were trying to lift the wreckage to determine if passengers were trapped beneath the bus, police said.

The injured were rushed to four hospitals in Hong Kong.

Police told CNN there were about 50 people on the bus, which had a capacity of about 200 passengers.

It was not known if the driver survived.

TV footage showed the overturned bus on a slope, and radio reported that helicopters were flown into the area to help with rescue efforts.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa went to the scene and said the government would do all it could to help the survivors and investigate what happened.

"This has been a very devastating and painful accident for all of us," Tung told reporters. "The priority right now is to get on with the rescue work."

Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao said the government would conduct an investigation into the accident.

"It is a shocking incident and it's really regrettable and I feel very sad about the whole thing," Liao said. "As to why the incident has occurred, the government would be very vigilant and do a thorough investigation."

Story Tools		Subscribe to Time for $1.99

Iran poll to go to run-off • U.N.: Truck bomb killed Hariri • EU 'crisis' after summit failure • U.S. House votes to keep U.N. dues

CNN/Money: Security alert issued for 40 million credit cards • Bin Laden deputy sends message • U.S. House votes to keep U.N. dues • Iran poll to go to run-off