Five killed and dozens injured in horrific Virginia bus crash

Five people, including two children, have been killed in a horrific bus crash in the US state of Virginia.More than 40 people have been injured - three critically - after a tour bus first struck a sports utility vehicle on Friday in Stafford County at around 2.35am (7.35 BST), causing a multi-vehicle collision.The bus, which Virginia State Police said "failed to slow for traffic", struck at least six vehicles on Interstate 95 as it was headed to North Carolina from New York.The driver has been identified as Jing S Dong, 48, from Staten Island, New York. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Transport Secretary Sean Duffy said Mr Dong was an American citizen originally from China who received his commercial driver's licence, required to drive a bus, two years ago.The bus first struck a Chevrolet Suburban, which was then pushed into an Acura SUV and other vehicles, as the bus itself struck additional vehicles.Four of the five fatalities were from the Acura - which caught fire as a result of the crash.Police have said a 45-year-old man, a 44-year-old woman, a 13-year-old girl, and a 7-year-old boy, all from Greenfield, Massachusetts were killed in the Acura.The fifth fatality was a 25-year-old woman from Worcester, Massachusetts, who was in the Chevy first hit by the bus, police said.The bus was operated by E&P Travel, a North Carolina-based coach charter company, and was carrying about 34 occupants.At least 44 other people - including the bus driver - were injured in the crash, and have been taken to area hospitals for treatment.State police said: "The preliminary investigation indicates that traffic was slowing southbound for an upcoming work zone."LATEST US NEWS:Scientist reveals ‘critical’ setback for Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin after dramatic rocket explosionTrans athlete left 'crushed' after controversial podium rule introduced in AmericaMassive network of tunnels beneath US airport to be revealed after years of conspiracy theories"A bus failed to slow for traffic and struck six vehicles."State police spokesman Matthew Demlein said charges against the bus driver in connection with the crash were still pending.Southbound lanes were closed for seven hours after the crash but have since fully reopened, Mr Demlein said.Mr Duffy said the administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) investigators were at the crash site.He alleged the Chinese-born bus driver did not speak English in a statement on social media.The Transport Secretary said: "This is exactly why we are holding states' accountable, enforcing the rules of the road, and cracking down on drivers who can’t speak English."If you can’t be properly trained, read our road signs, or communicate with law enforcement, you have no business driving a bus."Our investigators are reviewing New York licensing records, training documentation, and the driver's history. Any company, trainer, or school that contributed to putting an unqualified driver on the road will face intense scrutiny."On social media, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger said: "My heart is with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, and I am praying for a quick recovery for those injured."The north end of Stafford County is around 40 miles from Washington, DC, and is located near the town of Quantico, home to one of the largest US Marine Corps bases and the FBI Academy. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter