Dozens of Santa Ana teens injured in bus crash returning from Catholic retreat

As a group of mostly teenagers made its way home from a Catholic youth retreat in the mountains of Southern California this past weekend, the bus rolled over at a winding turn, injuring 26.

Nearly 40 parishioners of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Santa Ana were on their way home from a three-day retreat at Camp Nawakwa in the San Bernardino Mountains on the evening of Nov. 9 when their bus crashed on a two-lane highway near Running Springs.

When emergency responders arrived, passengers were still escaping from the bus, with many exiting through the roof hatch. Twenty-six passengers were treated for their injuries, including 20 who were later hospitalized, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department. Three passengers had major injuries.

OVERTURNED TOUR BUS LEADS TO MCI, DOZENS INJURED

Fredalba: A bus carrying 36 people rolled over at a curve on
State Hwy. 330 south of Running Springs last night, leading to a multi-casualty incident with over two dozen injuries.

Dispatched just before 9 p.m., first-arriving… pic.twitter.com/facfnIqjLq

— San Bernardino County Fire (@SBCOUNTYFIRE) November 10, 2025

Jarryd Gonzales, a spokesman for the Diocese of Orange, told CNA that the Diocese of Orange “offers heartfelt prayers and support to the youth, families, and staff of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Santa Ana who were involved in a serious bus accident.”

“We extend our deepest gratitude to the first-responder agencies for their prompt and professional response in safely evacuating passengers and ensuring they received proper medical attention,” Gonzales said.

Today, our thoughts and prayers are with the youth, families, and staff of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church (Santa Ana) who are feeling deeply affected by the bus accident on Sunday evening in the San Bernardino Mountains on the way home from a youth retreat.

We invite all… pic.twitter.com/URZqr9bZ2j

— Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange (@OrangeDiocese) November 10, 2025

Gonzales said about 125 people participated in the retreat, which started Friday and ended Sunday. Most left the retreat in vans, except for the one group that took the bus.

Gonzales said the diocese will continue to “provide further updates as information becomes available.”

“Until then, our entire Diocese of Orange community will keep all those affected in prayer, and we thank all for their continued support,” he said