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21 passengers were rescued from freezing temperatures Wednesday morning after a charter bus left them stranded on Interstate 55.

According to the state police, the bus was traveling north on the interstate near the Montgomery County line when it broke down at 6:45 a.m. Wednesday. Passengers of the bus, including two children, were put in state police vehicles and taken to places where they had access to heat. Many of the passengers were taken to Toni's Cafe next to the Travel Center in Auburn. There, they were accommodated with food and shelter as they waited for another bus traveling from St. Louis.

Officials with the State Police say the exact cause of the breakdown is unknown. However, it appears the diesel fuel gelled in the fuel system, as is the case with several dozens of semi trucks that become stranded on the roadway.

The State Police reminds motorists to stay alert of weather conditions where they plan to travel and treat their diesel fuel for extremely cold temperatures.