The driver and passenger of a van were killed today when it collided head-on with a San Mateo County Transit District bus in San Mateo, police and SamTrans officials said.

Five bus passengers were injured in the collision, which was reported about 12:45 p.m. near South El Camino Real and 12th Avenue.

A passenger in the van died at the scene and the driver was taken to a hospital in critical condition, dying a short time later, SamTrans spokeswoman Jayme Ackemann said.

Five bus passengers were also taken to a hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening, Ackemann said.

Northbound South El Camino Real is closed from Ninth to 12th Avenue and two southbound lanes are also closed in the area, police said.Bay Area NewsSamTransSan MateoTransittransportation