One child was killed and at least 40 people are injured after a charter bus carrying a youth football team crashed in Arkansas early Monday morning.
The bus was traveling on Interstate 30 west of Benton, Arkansas, from Texas to Memphis, Tennessee, when it left the road and turned over, according to Arkansas State Police.
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FOX 13 Memphis reports that three to five children were trapped at the time of the accident. The children aboard the bus were reportedly all between the ages of 8 and 12 years old.
The injured, who are reportedly mostly children, were transported to hospitals in Benton and in Little Rock, about 25 miles northeast of Benton. Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock said it received more than 20 patients following the crash.
The crash occurred at about 2:40 a.m. The bus was carrying the Orange Mound Youth League football team, which had attended an All-Star game in Dallas over the weekend.
It appears there were several teams on the bus at the time of the crash. CBS affiliate THV11 identified one of the teams on the bus as the Memphis Wolfpack. Police said the bus was carrying a team that had played in a championship game in Dallas over the weekend and was returning to Memphis. Authorities did not immediately identify which school or team was involved.
“The bus driver is alive and is being questioned by state troopers,” police said in a statement.
The Arkansas State Police said more information would be released later Monday morning “through an updated news release.”
A bus crash in April killed 10 players on the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team in Canada while the team was on its way from Humboldt to Nipawin in Saskatchewan. The bus crashed into an oncoming tractor-trailer truck.
The victims of the crash were team therapist Dayna Brons; players Parker Tobin, Logan Schatz, Jaxon Joseph, Stephen Wack, Adam Herold, Logan Hunter, Logan Boulet, Evan Thomas, Conner Lukan and Jacob Leicht; head coach Dary Haugan; play-by-play announcer Tyler Bieber; driver Glen Doerksen; assistant coach Mark Cross; and intern Brody Hinz.
“In the wake of this tragedy, Humboldt has shown incredible resilience and strength,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said during a Liberal meeting in Saskatoon. “Canadians were quick to share their love, support, generosity and kindness in a moment when it was so desperately needed. So to the people of Humboldt, know that we are with you. Know that we will continue to support you as you heal.”
This story is developing. Check back here for more updates.
