The college baseball player who died in a horrific bus crash in Iowa on Wednesday has been identified as Carter Johnson, a 19-year-old South Dakota native.
Johnson died at the scene after student-athletes trailing behind in a separate vehicle performed CPR, as reported by KCRG.com.
The impact of the crash was so severe that multiple medical helicopters were called in to airlift several critically injured victims to regional trauma centers for emergency surgeries.
Johnson was a member of the Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team, which was traveling to a game in Arkansas when the bus’ 74-year-old driver veered off the road, overcorrected and ultimately crashed, police said.
Everyone on the bus suffered some degree of injury in the crash, which took place at a particularly dangerous S-curve. Over the last ten years, four people have died in crashes at that point in the highway, according to Iowa State Patrol.
‘Carter was a great teammate, a friend, and a valued member of our athletic community,’ Iowa Lakes Community College’s Athletic Director Troy Larson said in a statement.
The college baseball player who died in a horrific bus crash in Iowa on Wednesday has been identified as Carter Johnson, a 19-year-old South Dakota native known as ‘Tater’
The tragic bus crash in Iowa left one person dead and 32 others injured on Wednesday
‘We’re heartbroken for this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with Carter’s family, we cannot imagine the depth of their loss, and we are holding them close in our hearts.’
Iowa Lakes Community College canceled classes for the remainder of the week.
Known as ‘Tater,’ the freshman outfielder played in only one game in his brief college career.
It was just over a year ago that Johnson announced his commitment to the school
‘I am very grateful to announce my commitment to Iowa Lakes Community College to continue my baseball career,’ he wrote on Instagram. ‘I would like to thank my family, friends and everyone who made this possible. Thank you Coach [Chris] Witzke for believing in me and this opportunity. Go Lakers!’
The Iowa State Patrol confirmed the single-vehicle horror unfolded on Highway 4 near Twin Lakes just after 11:00am involving an Iowa Lakes Community College bus.
The bus was reportedly carrying the school’s baseball team as it traveled south to face North Arkansas College on Thursday and Friday.
The impact was so severe that multiple medical helicopters were called in to airlift the most critically injured victims to regional trauma centers for surgery. Responders from the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office and Rockwell City Police worked to pull the injured from the wreckage and transport them to various hospitals.
The Iowa State Patrol confirmed the horror unfolded on Highway 4 near Twin Lakes
Those who were taken by ambulance to the hospital have been released. Meanwhile, the conditions of those who were airlifted to hospitals has not yet been revealed by local police.
Dr. Rick Massengale, North Arkansas College president, extended his ‘deepest condolences’ to the family and loved ones of the individual who passed away.
‘We are lifting up in prayer those who were injured and all who are affected,’ he continued as the higher education community rallied around the small college.
‘During moments like this, we are reminded that the higher education community is a family,’ Massengale added while offering support to the grieving Iowa school.
Iowa Representative Randy Feenstra said he was ‘deeply concerned’ about the fatal accident and praised the quick response from the local first responders.
‘I am grateful to our local law enforcement, Iowa state patrol, and medical professionals who have been quickly responding at the scene,’ the congressman stated.
