One Dead, Dozens Injured in Iowa Community College Baseball Team Bus Crash

The bus overturned in a rural ditch, killing one and injuring all 32 other occupants.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A community college bus carrying the school's baseball team crashed and overturned in a ditch in rural Iowa on Wednesday, killing one person and injuring all the other 32 occupants aboard. The 11 a.m. crash involved only the Iowa Lakes Community College bus and occurred on a highway near Twin Lakes, about 110 miles northwest of Des Moines. Three people were airlifted to trauma hospitals in Des Moines, while others were taken by ambulance to local hospitals.

Why it matters

Bus crashes involving student athletes are tragic events that can have a profound impact on a community. This incident raises questions about the safety of rural roads, the condition of the bus, and whether proper safety protocols were in place to protect the players and staff.

The details

According to the Iowa State Patrol, the bus overturned in a ditch, but no other vehicles were involved in the crash. The name of the deceased victim has not been released. In addition to the three people airlifted to Des Moines, others were taken by ambulance to four hospitals in the area.

  • The crash occurred at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.

The players

Iowa Lakes Community College

A community college located in northwest Iowa that fields a baseball team.

Iowa State Patrol

The state law enforcement agency investigating the crash.

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What’s next

The Iowa State Patrol is continuing its investigation into the cause of the crash.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of ensuring the safety of student athletes during transportation and the need for thorough safety protocols to protect vulnerable passengers, especially on rural roads.