Mexico truck-bus crash kills at least 43

VERACRUZ, Mexico (AP) -- A truck trailer came loose and hit a passenger bus early Friday, killing at least 43 people in the Gulf coast state of Veracruz, state government spokeswoman Gina Dominguez said.

The victims were farmworkers traveling from Coatzacoalcos in Veracruz to the border state of Coahuila, Dominguez said. The accident occurred on a winding stretch of highway near the town of Alamo in the northern part of the state. Another 17 people were still hospitalized on Friday, she said.

Dominguez said the truck driver fled the scene and was being sought by authorities.

Veracruz Gov. Javier Duarte and his wife visited the accident site to oversee the rescue and recovery efforts, promising state support for the victims and their families.