Minco Public Schools resume classes, softball season ends after bus crash
MINCO, Okla. (KFOR) — Minco Public Schools announced that it will continue classes on Wednesday after having canceled them Tuesday due to members of the softball team being involved in a school bus rollover crash on Monday night that left several of them injured.
At around 8 p.m. on Monday, the school bus was traveling on State Highway 152 near County Road 2760 just west of Minco when the bus struck a deer before it left the road and rolled over one time. The crash ejected four students and one adult, leaving them injured.
The driver of the bus, identified by OHP as Cody Schmidt, who is also the head softball coach for Minco Public Schools, was also reportedly injured in the crash.
OHP provided an update Tuesday afternoon saying that two students were treated for minor injuries, and two others for more serious injuries.
They went on to say two adults were also treated for minor injuries, while one adult is in the hospital in critical condition.
There were 18 people on the bus, and no fatalities were reported.
On Monday night, shortly after the crash occurred, Minco Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Sims announced that classes would be canceled on Tuesday.
“This evening, our Minco Softball team was in a serious accident west of Minco. Multiple individuals on the bus were severely injured. We will be closing school tomorrow,” said Sims on social media. “We will also provide updates as we are permitted. Please keep these student-athletes, coaches, and their families in your prayers.”
On Tuesday, Sims expressed his gratitude on social media to the first responders and the support from around the state.
Minco Family,
Last night, our school and community were shaken by an accident that could have been truly tragic. We are very fortunate, as the outcome could have been so much worse for our student-athletes, coaches, and community. I am deeply grateful to God for sparing their lives.
Minco Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Sims
I want to express my sincere appreciation to our first responders, EMTs, local police, and the Grady County Sheriff’s Department for their swift and professional action. Their quick response and the immediate transport of the injured to Oklahoma City undoubtedly saved lives.
Thank you to Minco First Baptist Church for hosting a prayer vigil, and to the many who have reached out through calls and messages. The support from schools across the state, Governor Kevin Stitt, Attorney General Gentner Drummond, Senator James Lankford, Senator Lonnie Paxton, Representative Dick Lowe, Representative Kevin Norwood, and countless superintendent colleagues has been overwhelming and humbling.
Life is fragile—hold tightly to your loved ones. We feel your prayers and support, and we ask that you continue lifting up our student-athletes, coaches, and their families as they recover.
Sims went on to say in the social media post that school would resume on Wednesday and that homecoming would be rescheduled for October 3, with the homecoming parade being held on October 2.
It was also announced that the junior high and high school softball season has ended for the fall semester.