Mexico bus crash kills 43

VERACRUZ, Mexico – A trailer broke loose from the truck pulling it and crashed into a passenger bus early Friday, killing at least 43 people in the Gulf coast state of Veracruz, state government spokeswoman Gina Dominguez said.

At least 17 people were injured, including seven children, she said.

The victims were workers traveling from Coatzacoalcos in Veracruz to the northern border state of Coahuila, Dominguez said. The accident occurred on a winding stretch of highway near the town of Alamo in the northern part of the state.

Dominguez said the driver of the trailer truck hauling sorghum fled the scene and was being sought by authorities.

Veracruz Gov. Javier Duarte and his wife visited the accident site to oversee the rescue and recovery efforts, promising state support for victims and their families.