One dead, dozens injured in crash involving Iowa Lakes Community College baseball bus
By KCCI staff
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CALHOUN COUNTY, Iowa (KCCI) — Iowa authorities confirmed to KCCI that one person was killed in the northern Iowa crash involving the Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team bus.
The crash was reported along Iowa Highway 4 near 220th Street, just west of Twin Lakes in Calhoun County, shortly before 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. Officials with Emmetsburg-based Iowa Lakes released a statement around 1:35 p.m. confirming that the school’s bus was involved.
Iowa State Patrol officials confirmed to KCCI around 2:30 p.m. that one person died in the crash. An official with UnityPoint Health said that two people were flown by air ambulance to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, and 10 others were taken to UnityPoint Health – Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge.
Iowa State Patrol Trooper Paul Gardner said in an interview with KCCI that 33 people were on board at the time of the crash; all sustained injuries that he said ranged from minor to serious.
No crash victims have been publicly identified.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash. No other vehicles were involved.
Highway 4 reopened around 2:30 p.m.
“The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority,” the Iowa Lakes statement said. “The College is actively supporting those affected and communicating directly with families.”
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Iowa Lakes was scheduled to play next against North Arkansas College in Harrison, Arkansas, on Thursday.
North Arkansas provided this statement Wednesday afternoon:
“Our hearts are heavy as we grieve alongside the Iowa Lakes College community. The loss of a life is a tragedy that reaches far beyond one campus. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the individual who passed away, and we are lifting up in prayer those who were injured and all who are affected. During moments like this, we are reminded that the higher education community is a family, and we stand ready to support Iowa Lakes Community College in any way we can.”
The Pocahontas Police Department asked residents to avoid the area due to the crash.
The Pocahontas Community School District also confirmed that they sent a bus to the scene, but it was not involved in the accident. According to a post on the Pocahontas school Facebook page: “This was not a PACSD bus. Pocahontas Police Chief Leu asked Jeff Halder, PACSD transportation director, to help at the site of the accident by bringing a bus to the location. That is the only reason why one of our buses is at the site. Again, our bus was not involved in the accident, it is only there to provide support.”
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