MINCO, Okla. (AP) — In a tragic incident on Monday night, a school bus transporting members of a softball team crashed into a deer and subsequently overturned on U.S. Highway 152 near Minco in Grady County, approximately 40 miles southwest of Oklahoma City. The collision resulted in the ejection of several passengers and left seven individuals injured, according to reports from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP).

As reported by OHP spokesperson Sarah Stewart, one adult ejected from the bus was in critical condition as of Tuesday morning, while four students were stabilized. There were 17 passengers on the bus at the time of the accident. Initially, the OHP indicated that eight people had sustained injuries; however, this figure was later corrected to seven. Some of the students were transported from the scene by their parents before law enforcement arrived.

The accident scene was cleared by midnight, and the OHP has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. OHP Lt. Mark Southall stated that the patrol is coordinating with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to determine the cause of the accident.

Minco Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Sims noted that the only seat equipped with a safety belt on the bus was the driver's seat. Following the incident, school was canceled for Tuesday, as Sims urged the community to keep the student-athletes, coaches, and their families in their prayers.

In solidarity, U.S. Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma expressed his support online, stating that he and his wife, Cindy, are joining their fellow Oklahomans in praying for those affected in Minco. Additionally, the Minco First Baptist Church, located in this small community of approximately 1,500 residents, announced that its sanctuary was open for anyone wishing to come and pray.

The softball team was scheduled to compete at 6 p.m. on Monday at the Riverside Indian School in Anadarko, around 35 miles southwest of Minco, as per the school’s athletic schedules. This unfortunate event not only raises concerns regarding the safety of student transport but also emphasizes the tight-knit nature of the Minco community as they come together during this challenging time.