At least seven people were killed and dozens more were injured in a crash Tuesday afternoon involving a tour bus and several other vehicles, NBC affiliate KSBW-TV reported, quoting the California Highway Patrol.

Initial reports said as many as 10 people were killed but that number was later lowered to six and then changed again to seven.

The crash occurred shortly before 3:30 p.m. PDT on U.S. 101 in Soledad, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Officer Erica Elias, a spokeswoman with the CHP’s Gilroy office, said there were “multiple fatalities” but didn’t immediately have a specific number or any other details. A dispatcher in the CHP Monterey office later said there were four confirmed deaths at the scene and four people had been taken to area hospitals in grave condition.

Officials say 36 people were on board when the vehicle overturned.

The maroon bus, bearing the name Orion Pacific, was left lying on its side after crashing into the guard rail on the two-lane southbound overpass.

A person who answered the phone at Orion Pacific, which describes itself as a luxury charter coach company based in Orange, said no one was available for comment. It was not immediately clear who had chartered the bus that crashed in Soledad.

The highway was temporarily shut down in both directions, but northbound lanes reopened a couple hours later.

(Source: Fox News)