Pennsylvania College Lacrosse Team Involved in Tragic Bus Crash

The women’s lacrosse team from Seton Hill, a small Catholic school near Pittsburgh, was involved in a bus crash on Saturday morning that has resulted in the death of the driver and one passenger. 

The Sentinel’s Lara Malmont reported the news, noting the following: 

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Pennsylvania Turnpike spokeswoman Renee Colborn said the bus was carrying 23 Seton Hill University women's lacrosse players and three coaches when it crashed at about 9 a.m. Saturday near mile marker 227 on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

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UPDATE: Saturday, Mar. 16 at 4:10 p.m. ET by Ben Chodos

The Associated Press (via ESPN) has released a report that offers more details on the crash. Although the cause of the accident is still unknown, the article gives the following information on the deaths and injuries suffered in the incident:

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Kristina Quigley of Greensburg, 30, was flown to a hospital and died there from injuries from the crash, Cumberland County authorities said Saturday. They say Quigley was about six months pregnant and her unborn child did not survive. The driver, 61-year-old Anthony Guaetta of Johnstown, died at the scene of the crash.

Two other victims were flown by helicopter to Penn State Hershey Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Danielle Ran said. She did not give their conditions. Officials said all other passengers were taken to hospitals as a precaution.

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---End of update---

The report notes that the driver was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, and one person passed away at a nearby hospital. Three people were injured seriously enough to be taken to the hospital via helicopter, with 14 others being taken to receive immediate attention.

Pictures of the scene show the bus veered off the highway and collided with a tree. The town nearest to the accident is Carlisle, Pa., and the report notes that nearby residents were able to hear the crash from some distance away.

According to Malmont, seven passengers have already been released from the hospital and did not sustain any serious injuries. No information about those who passed away has been released at this time. 

In addition to medical personnel, state police were at the scene to investigate the accident, and the Department of Environmental Protection was also called because of the diesel fuel spilled as a result of the crash.

Mlaker, the company that owns and operates the chartered bus, was also involved in the investigation.

The bus was reportedly en route to Lancaster, Pa., but few other details about the tragedy are known at this time. Officials are continuing to sort through the damage of this terrible incident.