Bus Fuel Spill Sickens Northern Calif. Students

Authorities say a fuel leak on a bus carrying dozens of Northern California high school students sickened or injured at least 11 youths who were taken to hospitals complaining of skin irritation and difficulty breathing.

California Highway Patrol Officer Alex Edmond says the leak developed around 7:30 p.m. Friday and sent liquid diesel through the floorboards of the Sequoia Union High School District bus.

The bus was carrying about 38 passengers as it headed south on I-680. Edmond told the Contra Costa Times the bus was from Woodside High School in Redwood City.

It was not clear how serious the passenger injuries were.

The bus driver, who was not uninjured, exited the freeway after the bus spilled about 5 gallons of diesel fuel.