California Bus Crash Tribute

Passengers were crushed as the bus rolled into the ditch

The driver of a bus that overturned in California killing eight passengers has been arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, police say.

Quentin Watts, 52, who was seriously injured, was arrested after witness statements were taken, police said.

Several of the 35 people injured in the crash remain in critical condition.

The bus was travelling from Sacramento to Colusa Casino Resort when Sunday evening's accident happened near the northern Californian town of Williams.

"It looks like they were going up to the casino to have a good time," California Highway Patrol Commander Fran Clader told the Associated Press news agency.

"Unfortunately, it resulted in tragedy."

Communication problems

Police are investigating whether Mr Watts was under the influence of alcohol, prescription or non-prescription drugs - or a combination - when the accident happened.

The bus had swerved from a two-lane country road into a water-filled ditch, crushing some passengers as it rolled, police said.

It came to a standstill, crumpled but upright, about 60 miles (100km) north of Sacramento.

No other vehicles are thought to have been involved in the incident.

The owner of the charter bus - which had an invalid licence plate and no seat belts - was still being investigated, police said.

Some passengers were of Laotian descent and had trouble communicating with rescuers, who used torches to scour the area for survivors in the dark.

Helicopters were used to transport the injured to several hospitals in the area.