News Summary
A tragic accident involving a school bus transporting the Minco High School softball team occurred on Monday night, resulting in several injuries. Eighteen people were on board, with one adult and two juvenile players in critical condition. The bus overturned while trying to avoid a deer, leading to multiple injuries, including the driver. The community is coming together to support the injured as a prayer meeting is scheduled, while classes at the school will resume shortly to restore some normalcy.
Minco, Oklahoma – A tragic accident occurred on Monday night when a school bus carrying the Minco High School softball team and coaches crashed, leaving several individuals injured. As of September 9, 2025, reports from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol indicate that numerous passengers remain hospitalized, with conditions varying among the injured.
Among the 18 people on the bus, an adult male is currently in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. His identity has not been disclosed. Additionally, two juvenile players are also reported to be in critical condition. The bus was driven by Cody Schmidt, who is the head coach for the high school softball team. The accident happened just before 8 p.m. on State Highway 152, located just east of Cogar.
According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the bus swerved left to avoid colliding with a deer. Unfortunately, it struck the deer and rolled over once before coming to rest on its wheels. During the rollover, four of the 18 individuals aboard were ejected from the vehicle. Overall, there were seven reported injuries, which included the driver and six passengers. Notably, only the driver, Cody Schmidt, was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, as the bus did not have seatbelts available for the passengers.
Beyond the critical injuries, two adults and two students sustained non-serious injuries in the incident. Minco School District Superintendent Kevin Sims conveyed the community’s shock over the incident. He expressed gratitude that there were no fatalities reported following the crash. This sentiment reflects the prevailing sense of relief among community members and the families of those involved.
In light of the accident, a prayer meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday evening on the softball field, allowing the community to come together in support of the injured and their families. Classes at Minco High School will resume on Wednesday, indicating a return to some sense of normalcy amid the tragedy. However, school officials have decided to postpone homecoming events, with the parade now rescheduled for October 2 and the homecoming game to take place on October 3.
Community support is being organized to aid the softball team during this difficult time. Donations can be made to the team through the First National Bank and Trust located in Minco. Furthermore, a Meal Train page has been set up to assist Jordan Benge, another coach who is recovering in critical condition and requires multiple surgical procedures following the accident.
Survivor Presley Bilderback described her harrowing experience during the crash and emphasized the relief felt by the team and their supporters that everyone survived the ordeal. As the Minco community begins to heal from this emotional incident, they unite in their efforts to support one another, demonstrating a strong commitment to resilience in the face of adversity.
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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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