4 dead in tour bus crash in U.S. Utah

At least four people were confirmed dead in a tour bus crash near Bryce Canyon National Park in U.S. state of Utah on Friday, according to Utah Highway Patrol (UHP).

"We are confirming the tourists are Chinese speaking tourists," UHP said in a tweet, adding they are also confirming 12 to 15 others with very critical injuries.

Troopers are en route to the crash scene near Bryce Canyon on state road 12 (SR-12), said the highway patrol. Multiple air ambulances and rescue crews have been dispatched.

The crash occurred on SR-12 at around 11:30 a.m. local time, about 5.6 kilometers west of Bryce Canyon, according to authorities and the park.

SR-12 is closed for the investigation of the bus crash, according to UHP.

Garfield County Commissioner Leland Pollock told the media that he felt terribly for those involved in the crash.

"This is pretty overwhelming for a little county of 4,900 people. This is just horrible for us," he was quoted by the media as saying.

Some of the victims are expected to be treated at Garfield Memorial Hospital in Panguitch, Utah, according to media reports.