Iowa State Patrol is investigating a bus crash on Wednesday that involves the Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team. Authorities have confirmed one fatality while all 33 occupants sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious.
The crash occurred at approximately 11:06 a.m. on Highway 4 north of Twin Lakes in Calhoun County. Iowa State Patrol responded to the crash at approximately 11:09 a.m. where it was deemed to be a single-vehicle incident. According to release, the Iowa Lakes Community College bus went off the roadway and overturned into a ditch.
All occupants of the bus have been accounted for. In a separate news release, the Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency said the person who was killed in the crash was pronounced dead on the scene. In response to the crash, Highway 4 was closed in both directions.
Due to the number of individuals involved and the extend of reported injuries, a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) was declared, the release reads. Given the seriousness of injuries, multiple medical helicopters were requested to assist with patient transport and ground ambulances from surrounding jurisdictions also responded to provide additional medical support and transportation.
No names are currently being released pending notification of families of those involved. The Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency will provide additional details when made available.
Iowa Lakes CC was scheduled to play a four-game series from Thursday-Friday against North Arkansas College in Harrison, Arkansas, where they were traveling at the time. They opened their season with a four-game series against Northern Oklahoma College-Tonkawa from Feb. 6-7.
The college is a member of the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference. The ICCAC released a statement regarding the incident on its Facebook page Wednesday afternoon.
“The Iowa Community College Athletic Conference and our members are heartbroken to learn of the bus accident,” the statement reads. “… Our thoughts and prayers are with the student-athletes, coaches, staff, families, and the entire Iowa Lakes community during this incredibly difficult time.”