POMEROY, Iowa (KTIV/Gray News) – A bus traveling on an Iowa highway crashed Wednesday morning, sending dozens to the hospital and resulting in a student’s death.
According to the Iowa State Patrol, the crash happened shortly after 11 a.m., west of Twin Lakes, involving a bus from the Iowa Lakes Community College.
Authorities said the bus went off the highway and overturned in a ditch.
The 74-year-old bus driver failed to negotiate the curve and overcorrected before the bus rolled, Iowa authorities said.
Two people were ejected from the bus and were trapped under the vehicle after it came to rest.
Multiple agencies were sent to a bus crash involving the Iowa Lakes Community College’s baseball team.(KCCI via CNN Newsource)
Authorities said there were 33 people on the bus, with injuries ranging from minor to serious, including 19-year-old Carter Johnson, who did not survive his injuries.
Iowa Lakes Community College confirmed that members of their baseball team were on the bus at the time of the crash.
The college’s athletics website says Carter was a freshman on the baseball team.
“Due to the number of individuals and the extent of reported injuries, a Mass Casualty Incident was declared,” stated the Calhoun County Emergency Agency. “Given the seriousness of injuries, multiple medical helicopters were requested to assist with patient transport. Ground ambulances from surrounding jurisdictions also responded to provide additional medical support and transportation.”
Authorities say there was an Iowa Lakes Community College van, carrying six people, following the bus when it crashed. It was not involved in the crash.
Carter’s father, Jeff Johnson, said his son made a big difference.
“What almost seems unfair is that he made so much of a difference in the world, and the world is moving on without him,” Johnson shared. “He just always cared about people.”
Community members held a candlelight vigil on the Estherville campus following the crash.
Iowa authorities said their investigation is ongoing.
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