In brief
A school bus transporting a softball team overturned on State Highway 152 after colliding with a deer. Seven individuals suffered injuries, with one adult in critical condition. The incident prompted an investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the National Transportation Safety Board.
MINCO, Okla. (RTW) — A school bus carrying members of a softball team overturned after crashing into a deer on Monday night, injuring seven individuals, according to the state highway patrol. The accident occurred on State Highway 152 near Minco in Grady County, approximately 40 miles southwest of Oklahoma City. As of Tuesday morning, one adult who was hurled from the bus is in critical condition, while four students are reported to be in stable condition, Oklahoma Highway Patrol spokesperson Sarah Stewart said. The number of injured was initially reported as eight but has been revised to seven. It appears several students left the scene with their parents before authorities arrived. The highway patrol continues to investigate the crash, working alongside the National Transportation Safety Board, OHP Lieutenant Mark Southall confirmed. The scene was cleared by midnight. In terms of safety, only the driver’s seat on the bus was equipped with a seat belt, remarked Kevin Sims, Superintendent of Minco Public Schools. Classes were canceled Tuesday following the incident, and the school administration has asked the community to keep the students and coaches in their thoughts and prayers. U.S. Senator James Lankford expressed his condolences online, joining the citizens of Oklahoma in support. The Minco First Baptist Church opened its sanctuary for those wishing to pray for the victims. The softball team was en route to a game scheduled later that evening at the Riverside Indian School in Anadarko.
