A school bus carrying 13 members of a youth softball team rolled over Monday night on Highway 152 west of Minco, Oklahoma, leaving multiple students severely injured and at least six in critical condition, authorities said.
The crash occurred in Grady County, about 40 miles southwest of Oklahoma City, when the yellow school bus rolled several times before coming to rest in a ditch, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said. First responders at the scene reported that multiple passengers were ejected from the vehicle.
The bus carried 13 people at the time of the wreck, the Highway Patrol said. Local news outlet KOCO reported that the bus driver, who also serves as the team's coach, sustained injuries in the crash.
Minco Schools Superintendent Kevin Sims posted on social media that the district would close schools the following day and that updates would be shared “as we are permitted.” “This evening, our Minco Softball team was in a serious accident west of Minco,” Sims wrote. “Multiple individuals on the bus were severely injured.… Please keep these student-athletes, coaches, and their families in your prayers.”
Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess said emergency personnel were on scene and urged the public to keep the victims in their thoughts. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the student-athletes and coaches from Minco Schools tonight,” he posted. “God definitely had his hand of protection on each one of them. Please keep each student-athlete and coaches in your prayers.”
U.S. Sen. James Lankford also issued a social media post expressing concern for the injured and their families. “Cindy and I join all of Oklahoma in praying for our neighbors in Minco tonight,” he wrote. “May God give healing and comfort to each of the players and passengers, their families, and the entire community.”
Authorities did not immediately release the names or ages of those injured or provide a breakdown of how many suffered critical, serious or minor injuries beyond the six described as critical. It was not immediately clear how many people were transported to area hospitals or which facilities received patients.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash. Officials cautioned against speculation pending the outcome of that inquiry and asked anyone with information to contact investigators.
The rollover prompted a swift local response from emergency crews and school officials. Minco is a small community in central Oklahoma, and the district’s decision to close schools reflected the immediate impact on students, staff and families. Officials said additional information would be released as it became available and asked for privacy for those affected while first responders and medical personnel continued their work.