Twenty-six Indiana high school basketball players and team officials were hospitalized after the bus they were riding in overturned Saturday, after being struck by another driver who lost control after spilling a drink, police said.
The bus carrying 21 students and six adults from Griffith High School to a state tournament, authorities said. None of the injuries were life threatening, police said.
The school bus carrying the boys basketball teammates and coaches rolled over after getting side-swiped by a Kia just after 12 p.m. on an interstate near Roselawn, Indiana, which is about 30 miles south of Gary, Indiana State Police said in a statement.
Police said that the driver of the Kia, Dominique T. Small, 23, lost control after the top came off her drink and spilled on her and as she tried to grab the beverage.
The team's coach was flown by air ambulance to a University of Chicago Hospital, officials said.
All 27 people on the bus as well as Small and her passenger were taken to area hospitals with non life threatening injuries, police said.
"Sadly, several of our players and coaches were injured in the accident," Griffith Superintendent Peter Morikis said in a statement.
The statement said the team was on their way to Lafayette to compete in the Indiana High School Athletic Association state basketball tournament. The game was postponed, according to the association.
"Our hearts are heavy today. What began with excitement — as the fulfillment of a dream to play in the semi-state tournament — has ended tragically," Morikis said.
