1 Dead After Bus Carrying College Baseball Team Crashes in Iowa

The bus was carrying the Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team to Arkansas for scheduled games.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A bus carrying the Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team crashed in Iowa, leaving one person dead and multiple others injured. The bus was en route to Arkansas for scheduled games when the single-vehicle accident occurred on Highway 4 near Twin Lakes. Authorities confirmed 33 people were on the bus at the time, and all were accounted for, though one fatality was reported. Several of the injured were transported to local hospitals, with some airlifted by medical helicopters due to the severity of the collision.

Why it matters

The tragic bus crash has shaken the Iowa Lakes Community College community and the broader college sports world. It raises questions about transportation safety for student-athletes and the need for thorough investigations into the cause of such incidents to prevent future tragedies.

The details

According to the Iowa State Patrol, the bus carrying the Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team crashed on Highway 4 near Twin Lakes just after 11:00 a.m. on February 11, 2026. The single-vehicle accident left the bus overturned on its side in a ditch, with visible damage to the front of the vehicle. Multiple first responders, including the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office, EMS, and Rockwell City Police Department, assisted in transporting the injured to local hospitals, with some requiring airlift due to the severity of their injuries.

  • The crash occurred just after 11:00 a.m. on February 11, 2026.
  • The Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team was en route to Arkansas for scheduled games on February 12 and 13.

The players

Iowa Lakes Community College

A community college in Iowa that fields a baseball team.

North Arkansas College

The college the Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team was traveling to play against in scheduled games on February 12 and 13.

Iowa State Patrol

The law enforcement agency that confirmed the details of the bus crash and is investigating the cause.

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What they’re saying

“The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority. The College is actively supporting those affected and communicating directly with families.”

— Iowa Lakes Community College (KTIV)

“Our hearts are heavy as we grieve alongside the Iowa Lakes College community. The loss of a life is a tragedy that reaches far beyond one campus. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the individual who passed away, and we are lifting up in prayer those who were injured and all who are affected.”

— Dr. Rick Massengale, President, North Arkansas College (Facebook)

“I am deeply concerned about the fatal accident. I am grateful to our local law enforcement, Iowa state patrol, first responders, and medical professionals who have been quickly responding at the scene.”

— Rep. Randy Feenstra, Iowa Representative (WOI-DT)

What’s next

The Iowa State Patrol said the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The takeaway

This tragic bus crash has devastated the Iowa Lakes Community College community and highlights the importance of transportation safety for student-athletes. As the investigation into the cause continues, it will be crucial to identify any factors that may have contributed to the accident in order to prevent similar incidents in the future and ensure the well-being of all those who travel for collegiate sports competitions.