Nine dead in California bus crash

At least nine people have died and a further 32 have been injured after a tour bus carrying high-school students collided with a lorry in northern California, the California Highway Patrol said.

The crash occurred after the lorry driver lost control of his vehicle, cross over a divider and then struck a passenger vehicle before colliding with the tour bus,

The injured have since been hospitalised.

Pictures from the scene showed the bus reduced to a burned-out chassis and resting sideways across the highway.

The condition of the lorry driver is unknown.

The bus was carrying high-school students and other passengers to Humboldt State University for a tour. The crash took place near the community of Orland, about 150km north of Sacramento.

Rollin Richmond, Humboldt State University president, said the students, from Southern California, had been due to visit the college campus on Friday.

"Our hearts go out to those who have been affected, and we are here to support them, and their families, in any way possible," he said in a written statement.