Bus carrying college baseball team crashes in Northwest Iowa, 19-year-old student dies

POMEROY, Iowa (KTIV) – A college’s bus traveling on a Northwest Iowa highway crashed Wednesday morning, sending dozens of people to the hospital and resulting in one student’s death.

The Iowa State Patrol says shortly after 11 a.m. on Feb. 11, the bus crashed on Iowa Highway 4, near 220th Street, just west of Twin Lakes.

According to ISP, the bus belonged to Iowa Lakes Community College, a Northwest Iowa-based college, and had gone off the highway and overturned in a ditch. Authorities say only the bus was involved in the crash.

ISP says there were 33 people on the bus, with injuries ranging from minor to serious. Officials at the scene say one of the bus’s occupants was declared dead, they were later identified as 19-year-old Carter Johnson.

The other 32 bus occupants were assessed by medical personnel and sent to various hospitals.

“Due to the number of individuals and the extent of reported injuries, a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) 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 in the area as well, with six occupants, but it was not involved in the crash.

Iowa Lakes Community College has canceled classes for Thursday, Feb. 12, and Friday, Feb. 13, after the deadly bus crash involving the college’s baseball team.

In an email to students, ILCC confirmed that a student-athlete was killed in the crash. According to various Facebook posts, that student has been identified as 19-year-old Carter Johnson of Rapid City, SD.

Previous Coverage

A college’s bus traveling on a Northwest Iowa highway crashed Wednesday morning, sending dozens of people to the hospital and resulting in one death.

The Iowa State Patrol says shortly after 11 a.m. on Feb. 11, the bus crashed on Iowa Highway 4, near 220th Street, just west of Twin Lakes.

According to ISP, the bus belonged to Iowa Lakes Community College, a Northwest Iowa-based college, and had gone off the highway and overturned in a ditch. Authorities say only the bus was involved in the crash.

ISP says there were 33 people on the bus, with injuries ranging from minor to serious. Officials at the scene say one of the bus’s occupants was declared dead after rescue personnel arrived, but did not go into further detail on their identity.

The other 32 bus occupants were assessed by medical personnel and sent to various hospitals.

“Due to the number of individuals and the extent of reported injuries, a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) 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 in the area as well, with six occupants, but it was not involved in the crash.

Bus was carrying members of NW Iowa baseball team

Officials with Iowa Lakes Community College have confirmed that members of their baseball team were on the bus. A student also confirmed to KTIV that the bus was taking the team to Arkansas for a game. The student said some of the people on the bus were flown to a Des Moines hospital.

Iowa Lakes Community College was scheduled to play against North Arkansas College in Harrison, Arkansas, on Thursday, Feb. 12.

On Facebook, North Arkansas College released a statement about the crash, saying they would be praying for the team.

“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,” stated Dr. Rick Massengale, North Arkansas College President. “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.”

Iowa Lakes Community College is located in the Iowa Great Lakes region. It has campuses in Algona, Emmetsburg, Estherville, Spencer and Spirit Lake.

Crash closes highway for hours

Northbound and southbound lanes on Iowa Highway 4 were closed a little after 11 a.m. due to the crash. By 2:45 p.m., the road had reopened.

While responding to the crash, the Iowa State Patrol was assisted by the Calhoun County Sheriff and EMS, Rockwell City Police Department, Calhoun County Emergency Management, the Iowa Department of Transportation, and other supporting agencies.

The crash remains under investigation.

A bus from a local public school district was at the crash scene as well. Officials with Pocahontas Area Community School District say their bus was there to help authorities.

The district wanted to make it clear that their bus was not involved in the crash itself.

“Earlier today, a bus was involved in an accident on Highway 4, south of Pomeroy. 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,” stated officials in a post on Facebook.

Candlelight vigil in Estherville

A candlelight vigil has been scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 11. The vigil is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Iowa Lakes Community College’s Estherville campus, inside the choir room.

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