News Summary
A school bus carrying the Minco High School softball team crashed on State Highway 152, resulting in multiple injuries. The bus driver attempted to avoid a deer, causing the vehicle to roll over. Of the 18 individuals on board, several sustained serious injuries, prompting concern within the Minco community. Fundraising efforts and community support are underway as families cope with the aftermath of the incident. The school district has cancelled events but plans to resume classes shortly.
Minco, Oklahoma — Multiple Injuries Reported in School Bus Crash Involving Softball Team
A school bus carrying members of the Minco High School softball team and staff crashed on Monday night, resulting in several injuries and prompting community concern. The incident occurred on State Highway 152 just east of Cogar shortly before 8 p.m.
Details of the Crash and Immediate Aftermath
According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the bus driver, Cody Schmidt, who also serves as Minco High School’s head softball coach, was driving the vehicle when the accident happened. The bus reportedly swerved to the left to avoid colliding with a deer, which resulted in the bus striking the animal. The impact caused the bus to roll over once before coming to a stop on its wheels.
Out of 18 individuals on the bus, seven people sustained injuries, including one adult male, who is currently in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. His identity has not been disclosed publicly. Additionally, two juveniles are in critical condition, while other injuries have been classified as non-serious.
Four persons, including the bus driver and three passengers, were ejected during the rollover. Only Cody Schmidt was reported to be wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, as the bus was not equipped with seatbelts for its passengers.
Injuries and Hospitalization
In addition to the most severe injuries, authorities confirmed that two adults and two students suffered less severe, non-life-threatening injuries. Emergency services transported the injured to local hospitals for treatment. The community remains concerned about the severity of the injuries and the ongoing recovery process for those affected.
Community Response and Next Steps
Minco school district superintendent, Kevin Sims, expressed shock over the incident and gratitude that no fatalities occurred. In response to the crash, a prayer meeting was scheduled for Tuesday evening on the softball field to offer support and comfort for the victims and their families.
The school district announced that classes would resume on Wednesday. However, Homecoming events have been postponed; the parade has been rescheduled for October 2, and the homecoming game is now set for October 3.
Ongoing Community Support and Fundraising Efforts
The community is encouraged to support the team and those affected by making donations through the First National Bank and Trust in Minco. Additionally, a Meal Train has been organized to assist Coach Jordan Benge, who is also in critical condition after the crash and requires multiple procedures for recovery.
Personal Accounts and Further Information
One of the survivors, Presley Bilderback, shared her experience of the crash, emphasizing the relief and gratitude that everyone survived the accident. The incident has deeply shocked the Minco community, prompting ongoing support and reflection on safety measures for school transportation.
The incident remains under investigation by authorities to determine additional details and ensure safety protocols are reviewed to prevent future accidents.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- KOCO News
- Wikipedia: School Bus Accident
- KFOR News
- Google Search: Minco school bus crash
- The Oklahoman
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Bus Safety
- Hindustan Times
- Google News: Minco Bus Crash
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