CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. -
It was a close call
for the St. Michael's College men's lacrosse team.
"Tremendous
relief. Yes, we're very thankful," said Chris Kenny, the associate
athletic director at St. Michael's College.
A bus carrying 34
student athletes, two coaches and an athletic trainer collided with a sports
car on the Adirondack Northway near Albany Tuesday.
"While traveling
southbound in the vicinity of exits 9 and 10 a Porsche traveling in front of the
bus lost control for an unknown reason," N.Y. State Police Lt. Greg Thomas
said.
Police say the bus
flipped onto its driver's side into a roadside ditch and the Porsche landed in
the median. The driver of that car, a 65-year-old man, is hospitalized in
critical condition. His 64-year-old female passenger was pronounced dead at the
scene. Police say four St. Mike's players were treated for minor injuries.
"It's one of
those things that you never think about it until it happens. We're lucky,
fortunate and blessed to come out of this unscathed. No serious injuries,"
said Pat Ivory, the interim head lacrosse coach at St. Michael's College.
The coach says his
heart goes out to the other victims. The lacrosse team was headed to a suburb
outside of New York City for a game. They were transported from the crash site
to a local firehouse to await final word from state police.
"All 34 players
and the coaches are being treated here, fed, have a warm place to stay and
they're making plans for their future endeavors," Thomas said.
The college sent a
second bus to pick up the stranded team, but it's unclear if they'll go on to
play against Mercy College.
"We have made
local arrangements for a local hotel stay right there in that area, but we want
to circle back with our coaches and talk to them," Kenny said.
The
road was closed for about 5.5 hours. A crash reconstruction team continues to
investigate.
