Ten Dead, Three in Critical Condition After Texas Prison Bus Collided with a Train

Ten people are dead while three are in critical condition after a Texas prison bus collided with a train on Wednesday.

The bus lost control and skidded off the slippery and icy Texas highway, causing it to collide against a freight train that was passing at the time. Two correctional officers and eight inmates were among those who died on the scene, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

"It's as bad as you can imagine. In 32 years, it's as bad as anything I've seen," Kevin Tinney, Odessa Fire and Rescue Battalion Leader told Odessa American.

Among those who are in serious condition are Hector Rivera, 37 and Remigio Pineda 34. Inmates Damien Rodriguez and Terry Johnson, both 22, along with correctional officer Jason Self, 38, are in critical condition.

The fatalities are correctional officers Eligio Garcia, 45 and Christopher Davis, 53. The inmates who died in the crash are Jeremiah Rodriguez, 35; Byron Wilson, 34; Jesus Reyna, 44; Tyler Townsend, 29; Angel Vasquez, 31; Kaleb Wise, 22; Michael Sewart, 25; and Adolfo Ruiz, 32.

"It's with a heavy heart that we mourn the loss of those killed and injured this morning in a tragic accident. Their loved ones will be in our thoughts and prayers," Executive director Brad Livingston said.

The prison bus was carrying three correctional officers and 12 state prisoners on its way to El Paso prison from Abilene when the accident occurred.

According to reports, the inmates were handcuffed in pairs and were not in seat belts during the trip, making the impact a lot worst for the prisoners.

Agency director Jason Heaton said that only the driver's seat was equipped with a seatbelt, just like any bus, and the prisoners are not on leg restraints.

Elizabeth Barney of the Texas Public Safety Department said that some of the passengers were thrown out of the bus.

The prison bus, according to Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jason Clark, was new and had only been in service since last summer.

No one in the freight train was injured according to a Union Pacific official.