At least 3 killed in charter bus crash near Harrisburg

HARRISBURG, PA. (CBS) -- At least three people were killed in a charter bus crashed just outside of Harrisburg overnight Sunday.

The crash happened during heavy rain about 11:50 p.m. Sunday on southbound Interstate 81 in Dauphin County's Lower Paxton Township, near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania State Police said. The bus struck an embankment, struck the rear end of a car, and flipped on its side.

"Three passengers were declared deceased on scene," the police report said, with others injured ranging from minor to severe.

Multiple people were also rushed to a hospital in Hershey for treatment.

"This is considered a mass casualty incident," Trooper Megan Frazer said. "We do have eight ambulances that assisted with us, as well as lifeline (emergency response), just because of how many people were involved and the amount of injuries."  

The victims' names have not yet been released. 

The bus had departed from New York, but there is no word on where the bus was heading. There were about 50 people on board the bus at the time of the crash.

The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania was providing food, drinks and cots at the Chambers Hill Fire Department for passengers being discharged from the hospital. When asked how many people were being assisted, the Red Cross said "the situation is still evolving" and they were not able to release a number.  

Southbound I-81 is now reopened right at Blue Ridge Avenue. 

The Associated Press contributed to this post.

• Pennsylvania
• Fatal Crash
• Bus Crash
• Traffic
• Harrisburg