Bus carrying Indiana bowling team crashes, multiple hurt
CLARK COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) – There were 21 people hospitalized when a bus carrying members from the Indiana Tech bowling teams crashed in southern Indiana Thursday.
By the end of the day Thursday, only two remained hospitalized but were in good condition.
Thursday morning the bus partially drove off the road “for an unknown reason” in the southbound lanes of Interstate 65 near Henryville, Indiana State Police officials said. The driver steered the bus back on the road but it veered to the other side of the southbound lanes before crashing. The bus landed on its side.
“This is very serious, make no mistake about it,” said ISP Capt. Dave Bursten. “We expected much worse. I certainly expected that there could have been a fatality or multiple fatalities.”
There were 21 people on the bus, including the driver. All of the passengers were from Indiana Tech, with 16 students from the men’s and women’s bowling teams among them. Staff members were also on the bus. The bus crashed while heading to the UFBC Sectionals competition in Smyrna, Tennessee.
Everyone on the bus was taken to a nearby hospital, but none of the injuries were considered life threatening.
The bus is from Excursions Trailways. A representative from the company told 24-Hour News 8 they were gathering information about the crash.
The news quickly made it back to the Indiana Tech campus in Fort Wayne. Many students were anxiously awaiting updates on their classmates. One had a friend who was on the bus.
“It’s devastating to know something like that,” said student Tyrece Edwards. “I mean, obviously this is someone I hang out with, I mean, every single day. So, as soon as I get done here, I’m going to call them and see how he’s doing.”
Also on the bus was bowler Samantha Pasch. The junior went to Decatur Central High School in Indianapolis. Earlier Thursday, she tweeted how the team was just hours away from their sectional in Tennessee.
A relative told 24-Hour News 8 over the phone that Pasch banged her knee during the crash and was shaken up, but that she was going to be alright.
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence released a statement after finding out about the crash.
“Our hearts go out to the Hoosiers impacted by this morning’s bus crash in southern Indiana. The State of Indiana is coordinating a multi-agency response, with Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter traveling now to the area. As law enforcement and emergency personnel respond to this situation, we urge all Hoosiers to hold these men and women in their thoughts and prayers.”