Three individuals have been killed and 14 others injured, some critically, when a Greyhound bus crashed into three stationary lorries in southern Illinois early on Wednesday, police stated.

Illinois State Police stated an preliminary investigation indicated that the bus had been travelling westbound alongside Interstate 70 in Madison County at round 1.55am when it collided with the tractor-trailers, which have been parked on the exit ramp to the Silver Lake Rest Area.

Four individuals have been taken to hospital by helicopter and at the least 10 others by ambulance, state police stated in a information launch.

They didn’t instantly launch particulars about those that have been injured and killed.

No-one within the three vans was injured within the crash, which occurred close to the town of Highland about 25 miles (40km) east of St Louis, police stated.

State police spokeswoman Melaney Arnold stated all these killed and injured have been on the Greyhound bus however she didn’t know if the bus driver was among the many casualties.

The I-70 was closed to westbound visitors after the incident.

A second tractor-trailer appeared to have made contact with the suitable rear of the bus, whereas a 3rd tractor-trailer appeared to have crashed into the rear of that second.

The roof of the bus was crumpled.

Greyhound spokesman Mike Ogulnick advised the St Louis Post-Dispatch in an electronic mail that the bus had been travelling from Indianapolis to St Louis, the place it was scheduled to reach at about 2.20am.

It was carrying about 30 individuals, together with the driving force, he stated.

“Our primary concern is ensuring we care for our passengers and driver at this time,” Mr Ogulnick stated.

“We are working closely with local authorities and a relief bus is on the way for passengers.”

Another bus was despatched to move passengers who weren’t harm, he added.