5 dead in California bus crash; ugly images for survivors

(AP) — A bus was nearly sliced in half after plowing into a highway pole in California's heavily agricultural San Joaquin Valley, killing five people as survivors faced horrific scene of wounds and screams.

Passenger Leonardo Sanchez was sleeping peacefully before dawn on the bus carrying him to Oregon to pick blueberries when he was suddenly thrown face-first into the back of the seat in front of him and awakened to the horrific scene.

Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke said rescuers pulled "bags of body parts" from the bus along with survivors, adding that some people suffered severed limbs.

The bus was traveling north up State Route 99, which cuts through the center of California farm country, and was only about a couple miles from its next stop when the crash occurred.

Wreckage and debris including seat cushions, drink containers, pillows and a blanket were scattered in lanes and on the highway's shoulder.