BREAKING: 20 Hospitalized After Church Camp Bus Overturns on Winding Southern California Road

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Twenty people were rushed to hospitals Monday evening after a bus carrying passengers returning from a church camp overturned on a treacherous, winding mountain road in Southern California, authorities said.The single-vehicle crash occurred around 6:45 p.m. on State Route 79, a narrow and serpentine stretch known locally as the "Cuyamaca Mountains Highway" in the rural outskirts of Julian, approximately 60 miles east of San Diego. The bus, operated by a private charter company and transporting a group of campers and chaperones from a weeklong religious retreat in the nearby Laguna Mountains, veered off the roadway and rolled onto its side amid sharp curves and steep drop-offs.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) spokesperson Officer Maria Lopez confirmed that the bus was en route to drop off passengers in the San Diego area when the driver lost control. "Preliminary investigations suggest speed may have been a factor given the road conditions, but we're still piecing together the exact sequence of events," Lopez told reporters at the scene. No other vehicles were involved, and alcohol or drugs do not appear to be contributing factors at this time.

Emergency responders from the San Diego County Fire Department, CHP, and local paramedics descended on the remote location, airlifting several critically injured passengers via helicopter to trauma centers including UC San Diego Medical Center and Sharp Memorial Hospital. The 20 hospitalized individuals included 15 juveniles aged 12 to 17 and five adults, with injuries ranging from fractures and lacerations to head trauma. As of late Monday, no fatalities have been reported, and officials described most conditions as stable.

Witnesses among the passengers recounted a chaotic scene. "The bus started fishtailing on a downhill turn, and then everything just flipped," said 16-year-old camper Emily Rodriguez, who sustained minor bruises and was treated at the scene. "Everyone was screaming—prayers from camp turned into real ones real fast."

The church group, affiliated with Grace Community Church in Escondido, had concluded a summer faith-based camp focused on youth outreach and outdoor activities. Pastor Michael Harlan issued a statement expressing gratitude for the rapid response: "Our hearts are with the families. We're praying for full recoveries and thank God no lives were lost."

Traffic on SR-79 was halted for several hours as crews worked to upright the bus and clear debris, with the roadway reopening shortly before midnight. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been notified and may join the CHP in a full investigation, particularly regarding vehicle maintenance and driver fatigue.

This incident underscores ongoing safety concerns on Southern California's mountainous routes, which have seen a spate of similar rollover accidents in recent years due to heavy tourist traffic and challenging terrain. Local officials renewed calls for enhanced signage and speed enforcement in the area.Updates on the victims' conditions are expected Tuesday morning. Anyone with information is urged to contact the CHP El Cajon area office.

17GEN4.com