Kansas Soccer Field Crash Deemed Mass-Casualty Incident, Dispatch Audio Reveals
First responders classified the event as an 'MCI' after a driver struck children and spectators, killing two.
Dispatch audio from the incident where a driver struck children and spectators at a Kansas soccer field reveals that first responders immediately classified the event as a mass-casualty incident (MCI). The crash occurred Saturday at the Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita.
Two people, 6-year-old Cole Adrian and 35-year-old Nicholas Schafer, both from McPherson, were killed. In addition to the fatalities, 10 others, including five children, sustained injuries.
The 34-year-old female driver was taken into custody but later released pending toxicology results and an examination of her Chevrolet pickup. Police stated they consulted with the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office before her release. The driver had two of her children in the vehicle with her at the time; one was playing soccer on a different field at the complex. Investigators interviewed the driver and over 30 witnesses, including her two children.
A 30-minute log of dispatch communications detailed the response. First responders reported at least 11 patients, with two described as needing urgent medical attention. Another report indicated nine patients, including two in critical condition ('code blacks') and two with serious medical emergencies ('code blues'), while others were still being triaged. Emergency personnel designated the incident as a Level 3 MCI, describing it as a "motor vehicle accident into a bunch of pedestrians." Dispatch audio also referenced a 5-year-old victim suffering multi-system trauma, who was assessed as fully responsive at the time.
Following the incident, the City of Wichita announced that its public works division would install temporary barriers at key locations around the Stryker Sports Complex until more permanent solutions could be implemented. The city also stated it would assess security measures and that police, along with local mental health professionals, would be present at the facility the following weekend to support families.
McPherson Mayor Jim Loving issued a statement expressing grief for the victims' families and offering prayers for the recovery of the injured, thanking bystanders and first responders for their actions. The Wichita Police Department stated the investigation is active and ongoing.