One person died and at least a dozen people were injured when a bus carrying the Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team crashed on Wednesday morning.
The single-vehicle crash happened around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, on Iowa Highway 4 west of Twin Lakes and south of Pomeroy. The college released a statement Wednesday afternoon that confirmed the school’s bus was involved, KCCI reported.
“The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority,” the college said in a release, according to KTIV. “The College is actively supporting those affected and communicating directly with families.”
The Iowa State Patrol said 33 people were on board the bus, which went off the road and overturned in the ditch.
Calhoun County Emergency Management declared the crash a mass casualty incident because of the number of injuries, according to a news release posted on Facebook. All bus occupants were taken to area hospitals for evaluation.
One person died at the scene.
The team was scheduled to play Thursday, Feb. 12 against North Arkansas College in Harrison, according to Estherville News.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team and their families along with the entire college community,” the Arkansas college said on Facebook. “Please keep Iowa Lakes Community College in your thoughts and prayers.”
Two people were taken to the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, and 10 were taken to UnityPoint Health Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge, a spokesperson for UnityPoint Health confirmed with the Register.
The Pocahontas Police Department asked residents to avoid the area because of a “very serious accident,” in a post on Facebook. The highway was closed in both directions.
Rep. Randy Feenstra, who represents Iowa’s 4th Congressional District where the crash occurred, said he is saddened by the accident.
“I’m praying for the family of the individual who lost their life and for any who were injured,” he said in a social media post. “Thank you to our local law enforcement, Iowa State Patrol, first responders, and medical professionals working swiftly at the scene.”
This story was updated to add more information.
Kyle Werner is the breaking news and public safety reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@registermedia.com
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 1 dead in bus crash carrying Iowa Lakes baseball team
Reporting by Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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