Bus carrying Univ. of Maine women's basketball team crashes

(NECN: Georgetown, Mass.) - A bus carrying the University of Maine women's basketball team crashed on Interstate 95 north of Boston on Tuesday night, but the team and staff appeared to escape serious injury.

Miraculously, the team's players, coaches and staff members -- 22 people in all -- escaped serious injuries when the bus, headed southbound, crossed the median and the northbound lanes and went into the woods adjacent to the the northbound lanes.

However, Mass. State Police report that the bus driver was seriously injured and was airlifted to a Boston hospital.

Preliminary investigation, including witness statements, indicates the driver might have suffered a medical incident.

University of Maine athletic director Steve Abbott told NECN there were no serious injuries to the team or coaches.

Abbott said one of the coaches may have taken the wheel and tried to steer the bus to safety.
    
A state police car pulled off at the scene was also struck by another car but that driver was not seriously hurt.

At least some of the players are being treated at Beverly Hospital and their injuries appear minor, according to hospital spokesperson, Gerald MacKillop.

The Maine women's basketball team was scheduled to play at Boston University on Wednesday night.

Heavy tow trucks were being brought in to remove the bus from the woods.