News Summary
A tragic bus crash involving the Minco High School softball team has resulted in multiple injuries, leaving some individuals in critical condition. The accident occurred when the bus swerved to avoid a deer, leading to a rollover. While there were no fatalities, the community is shaken by the incident. Support for the victims and their families is being organized, including a prayer meeting and fundraising initiatives. The school district is focused on recovery and continues to provide updates on the health of those affected.
Minco, Oklahoma – A school bus carrying Minco High School softball players and coaches was involved in a serious crash on Monday night, leaving multiple individuals injured. The accident occurred on State Highway 152 just east of Cogar shortly before 8 p.m., as reported by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
As of September 9, 2025, several individuals remain hospitalized due to injuries sustained in the crash. Among those on the bus, an adult male is currently in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, although his identity has not been disclosed. Additionally, two juvenile passengers are also reported to be in critical condition. Overall, there were 18 individuals on board the bus, including the head coach Cody Schmidt, who was driving at the time of the accident.
Initial findings from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol suggest that the bus swerved to the left in an attempt to avoid colliding with a deer. Instead, the bus struck the deer and subsequently rolled over once before coming to rest on its wheels. The powerful impact resulted in four of the 18 individuals being ejected from the bus during the rollover. In total, seven injuries were reported, which included the driver and six passengers. Notably, only the driver, Cody Schmidt, was wearing a seatbelt at the time; the bus did not have seatbelts installed for the passengers.
In addition to the critical conditions, authorities have confirmed that two adults and two students sustained non-serious injuries as a result of the crash. The community has expressed profound shock at the events, particularly given that no fatalities were reported. Minco School District Superintendent Kevin Sims shared gratitude for the fact that the injuries were not worse and emphasized the community’s support for the victims and their families.
A prayer meeting has been organized for Tuesday evening on the school’s softball field, aimed at bringing the community together during this challenging time. While classes are set to resume on Wednesday, many events have been postponed to honor those impacted. Homecoming festivities will now proceed with the parade scheduled for October 2 and the homecoming game on October 3.
In response to the tragic incident, the community is encouraged to support the softball team and the affected individuals. Donations can be made through the First National Bank and Trust in Minco. Furthermore, a Meal Train page has been established to assist Jordan Benge, a fellow coach who is recovering in critical condition and will require multiple medical procedures in the wake of the crash.
Survivor Presley Bilderback shared her experience of the traumatic event, expressing profound relief that, despite the severity of the injuries, all individuals involved survived the crash. This accident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by student-athletes and the importance of safety protocols in school transportation.
As the situation develops, the community continues to rally around those affected, demonstrating resilience and support in the wake of a tragic event. Further updates regarding the health status of the injured and recovery efforts will be monitored as more information becomes available.
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Additional Resources
- KOCO News
- Wikipedia: School Bus Accident
- KFOR News
- Google Search: Minco school bus crash
- The Oklahoman
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Bus Safety
- Hindustan Times
- Google News: Minco Bus Crash
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