Student Athletes Hurt In Shawnee Bus Crash

Several members of the St. Gregory's University men's basketball team end up in the hospital after their bus collided with a semi on Highway 177 Saturday afternoon.

Sunday, January 29th 2012, 12:41 am

By: News 9


Several members of the St. Gregory's University men's basketball team end up in the hospital after their bus collided with a semi on Highway 177 Saturday afternoon.

"A car pulled out in front of my assistant coach who was driving," said head coach John Martin, just moments after the crash. "Another car pulled directly behind that one and it turned out to be one of the big semis."

Martin said Assistant Coach Todd Eilert tried to avoid the collision but in the end he could not avoid clipping the rear end of the semi.

"Coach Eilert tried to step on the brakes and then swerve and actually we just hit the tail end of the semi. It could have been a whole lot worse."

Coach Martin said luck was on his team's side today, although, several players were injured in the crash and transported to Unity Health Center in Shawnee. Luckily there were no serious injuries according to university officials.

The bus was equipped with seatbelts for the players but Martin was not sure if all of his players had one fastened.

"I don't know. I didn't look back to check, but I doubt everyone was wearing theirs," he said.

The team was on its way to Claremore for a game against Rogers State University when the crash happened. The game will be rescheduled for a future date.

Coach Martin said he was thankful nobody was seriously hurt and acknowledged it could have been a whole lot worse.

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